I think it is extremely important for teachers to get to know their students deeper than a surface level. It is not only beneficial for teachers to know what level their students are at when they enter the classroom but it is also important for teachers to understand where their students come from and how their backgrounds impact their education. I feel that sometimes it can be difficult for students to open up to teachers because as adults we can be intimidating. I really liked that Lenksi et. al recognized the importance of group interaction and assessment. Students tend to feel more comfortable when they are with their peers and friends who they feel comfortable with rather than when they are on their own. For this reason I think it would be interesting to have my students interview each other to find out about their family background. This would allow for the students to get to know each other first and then report back to to class which would give them a sense of responsibility.
I think it would also be beneficial to for the students to write a brief essay (length depending on the grade level) about their family and traditions they do at home. As the Wheeler and Swords article pointed out, it is important for students to feel like their cultures, no matter what they are, are important and deserve recognition and respect. The essay would give the students a chance to share what is most special about their lives and it would also give the teacher insight into where they students were in terms of their writing ability. One activity that I have always wanted my students to take part in is to make a classroom cookbook. I would ask all of the students to bring in their favorite family recipe and have them share with the class where it came from and why they thought it was important. After, I would compile all of the recipes and make a book which I would copy and distribute to each student. This is a unique way for students to share about their family and their culture and one that I think they could have fun with.
I think that the more ways a teacher is able to incorporate the many differences of their students into the classroom, the more comfortable students are going to feel and the more the students will learn to respect each other and their cultural differences. Students need to have fun with activities like this or it could ruin the purpose.
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Shalyne, I really enjoyed reading your post about diversity in the classroom. Especially your ideas about students getting to know each other through interviews and writing about traditions from different cultures. I also think the idea of making a cook book is awesome! It would be neat too, if you could have students bring in dishes from their culture. Something that could go along with this is having students share their culture's food, but dance and clothing as well. Obviously this may be hard for some students, but I've been working with refugee youth, and many of the students from Tazania really enjoy singing/dancing, and it is SO fun to watch! Of course, as you mentioned, students will have to trust their peers and adults before feeling comfortable sharing their lives with others.
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