Lynsey Einzinger

September 20, 2014

One of the major advantages of the growing emphasis on multicultural approaches to
curriculum and instruction is that educational institutions are trying to deal with racial conflict,
bias, prejudice, and injustice that exist in our multicultural society. It is crucial to encourage
critical thinking about such issue as racism and promote awareness and understanding of racism
and human relations. Simply saying: I dont see color, I see children misses some critically
important information about students needs. For example, how our cultural background shapes
our experience, access to social and cultural capital and perspectives. The classroom should
provide the opportunity for students and teachers to examine broad social perspectives taking
into account the multiracial society. Thus, the goal is to enhance the schooling experience for all
students and to provide equal educational opportunity while changing the content and process
within schools.
Another area of effort has been in the use of curriculum to develop a climate for racial
equality. When teachers raise the academic achievement of ethnic groups through culturally
relevant instruction, students are taught content using instructional methods that value cultural
knowledge and differences. Teachers also raise awareness regarding the different ethnic groups
and they help students understand events and society from the perspectives of different groups.
In return, students are part of the instruction and they are allowed to present and share
information about their own culture throughout the year and not only in a lesson unit.
Subsequently, the inclusion of materials, concepts, and values from a variety of cultures gives an
opportunity for students to understand that people create meaning based on their own
experiences and understandings of the world around them and they use that knowledge to explain
their ideas and challenges in a society constantly changing.
In classroom they key idea is to balance both worlds, bring in new educational concepts
while still emphasizing and teaching their students about their own culture. In a way it is up to
the teachers to relate to the students cultures and not try to change their ways, rather educate
them more about their rich history, ancestors, and their way of living. When teachers alter their
teaching methods to accommodate the various cultural differences of diverse students, they
modify instructional and contextual features, strategies, and philosophy to meet their students
needs, interests, learning preferences, and prior experiences. In other words, they make
instructional variations in response to students culture, race, and class. This way, students feel
like they can relate to the class work and embrace not only the English language and culture but
their own language and culture as well.