3 :-)

The classroom is a place where children can feel safe and accepted for who they are. One idea I found perfect to help set up a comfortable classroom was the idea of the “Me Pocket” In my preschool we did a similar classroom “family book” project where the children brought in pictures of their families and we asked their parents where their child’s name came from. The project was a success, but I think the “me pocket” activity can do so much more. Children can put in a variety of different materials that are important to them, things they’re proud of, pictures or items they want to share with the class about who they are and where they come from. This goes back to the idea of empowering the students, we get to build a community within the classroom, which is ultimately made by the students.

I believe children deserve more credit than we often think. Children can handle big questions. I think all too often adults think children can’t rap their brains around a concept as large and as important as diversity. As a teacher, I plan on asking questions regarding diversity, the more my class comes to understand these challenging questions, the more comfortable they will become with the differences they may face day to day. If we can teach our children to respect diversity in all its forms, hopefully when they’re adults they won’t have to deal with as much discrimination.

I believe teachers can collaborate together to create an anti-bias curriculum. It’s not enough for just one teacher to create this curriculum; if all the teachers work together I believe you can make an impact with a very challenging subject. I also like the idea of not just doing the “tourist curriculum”, children from different cultures should have pride for where they come from all year around. Collaboration is also very important, because I openly admit I’m still very ignorant when it comes to how to teach diversity, and I am willing to learn from my peers and work as a team to improve the school.