a diverse world

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Course Text: Ramsey, P. (2004). Teaching and learning in a diverse world: Multicultural education for young children (3rd ed.). New York: Teachers College Press
- Chapter 2, “We are all Learning” (pp. 16–33, up to “Guidelines for Challenging Children’s Assumptions and Expanding their Perspectives”)
- Part II: “Contexts of Learning” (pp. 67–68)
Special instruction: On page 68, the author states, “Before turning to the next five chapters, ask yourself, ‘Who am I?’ and write down the answers as quickly as possible.” Do this activity now. The list you create will be incorporated as part of your Reflective Journal Assignment at the end of this week.

Book Excerpt: Perceiving and Responding to Differences (PDF)

Gonzalez-Mena, J. (2008). Perceiving and responding to differences. Ch. 1 in Diversity in Early Education Programs: Honoring Differences (5th Ed.). Columbus, Ohio: McGraw- Hill.

Copyright © 2008 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Reproduced with permission of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.
Note: Be sure to read and reflect on the first five Focus Questions on page 8. Though there is a reference to early childhood educators and education in one of these questions and throughout the text, this reading provides valuable information and “food for thought” for professionals who work with young children and their families in a wide variety of roles and important thinking as we strive to understand ourselves as individuals.
Web Site: Understanding Prejudice: Implicit Association Tests
http://www.understandingprejudice.org/iat/index2.htm
Note: Take these tests before participating in the Discussion for this week.

Optional Resources

Book: Darling-Hammond, L., French, J., & Garcia-Lopez, S. P. (2002). Learning to teach for social justice. New York: Teachers College Press.
Book: Derman-Sparks, L. (1989). Anti-bias curriculum: Tools for empowering young children. Washington, DC: NAEYC.
Book: Wolpert, H. (2005). Start seeing diversity: The basic guide to an anti-bias classroom. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

Content Review

Directions:

Respond to each item. Each response should be concise and between 2–3 paragraphs in length.
Use MS Word to write your responses, and submit your answers to all three questions in one Word document.
Copy and paste each question within the document, so that your Instructor can see which question that you are responding to.

On page 8 of the book excerpt “Perceiving and Responding to Differences,” Gonzalez-Mena asks the following question: Why is transformative education a better approach than simple parent education in the face of cultural differences?” Consider what you have learned about transformative education from this reading and then respond to the author’s question considering not only parent education but your own education as well.
The author of your text, Patricia Ramsey, calls on adults to develop a “critical consciousness” (Ramsey, 2004, p. 19). In your own words, explain what this means and why it is important?
In your text, Dr. Ramsey states, “People working with or studying children need to expand their definition of developmental competencies…” (Ramsey, 2004, p. 28). In your own words, summarize what Ramsey means by this statement including why researchers and educators are being urged to “view children’s development within the larger context of social stratification.”