Jennifer is concerned about the teaching of cultural diversity

After reading Chapter 3 in the textbook, I thought about my own experiences in school and I can honestly say that cultural diversity was not something teachers focused on. Banks and Banks define four levels of curriculum that represent how cultural diversity is typically addressed in a classroom. I believe my education falls into the "Contributions Approach,” where the textbook information was all the information I was given. Personally, I feel that teachers should use a "Social Action Approach" in their classrooms especially because areas of this state and the nation are becoming more and more culturally diverse as each day passes. The social action approach allows students to learn and partake in activities and social action to become more aware of the other cultures that exist in our communities and to learn first hand about each of these cultures…………..how are they similar, how are they different.    Do you think teaching about cultural diversity is important? Which method would you use in your classroom, and what activities would you do, if any?

Scott asks....Why Oh Why Wikipedia?

Prior to reading the article “What? Wikipedia in History Class?”  I had a few preconceived notions about Wikipedia, most of them very positive.  As a social studies major I have several research papers to do throughout the year.  When conducting my research I always used Wikipedia as a sort of guideline for my report.  I don’t actually quote the website, but because of its vast amount of information about specific topics, I use it to guide my research and keep me on task.

               

After reading the article I was amazed to find out the  amount of useful knowledge a student was able to acquire once completing one of Mr. Boggs’ Wikipedia assignments.  Students learn how to produce footnotes, reference other works, cite sources, conduct research and use a computer based permanently  imprinted on a well-known website, rather than merely handing in a report to their instructor, which would mean nothing after they had received a grade.  Also, the assignment of adding to Wikipedia is, in my opinion,  much more fun for student.   It surely beats just “another research paper” assignment.  I will most definitely try to construct a report like this in the future within my own classroom.

I would like to know how you feel about the use of Wikipedia in social studies classes.   Do you feel the same way?   Or, in your opinion, is Wikipedia too much of a non-scholarly website to use within your classroom?

Monica suggests a democratic classroom. Do we all agree?

I believe that  teaching democracy in the classroom can greatly benefit all of your students and is an essential skill to learn. You don’t even need a textbook or time for a lecture. Democracy can be used in your classroom every day. Based on the article we just read, just by modeling democracy and politics in the classroom your students will learn the concept and be better prepared for read world situations. It can start as early as kindergarten and as you move up in the grades the situations can become more complex.

            A good teacher should come up with stimulating topics for the students to talk about so that they can become familiar with sharing ideas and accepting the ideas of others.    Student input can be very effective. Like the article said, you can have students fill out anonymous questionnaires reflecting their opinion about what is going on in your class. This can also tell you a little bit about yourself as a teacher andalso how much they are really learning. There are many ways to use social studies and politics in the classroom, the hard part is making it interesting for students and making  it real for your students.    Do you agree?    Can you think of ways in which to incorporate democratic principles in your classroom?   Can you think of some teachers that you may have had or teachers that you have observed who truly “ran a democratic classroom?”    What strategies did they use?    Or……..do you feel that a classroom runs best when the teacher makes all of the decisions?