Diversity in the Classroom

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The U.S. Department of the Interior, describes the term "diversity" is used broadly to refer to many demographic variables, including, but not limited to, race, religion, color, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, education, geographic origin, and skill characteristics. America's diversity has given this country its unique strength, resilience and richness. (doi.gov)

Diversity comes in many different aspects. Achievement gaps have been identified with respect to race and ethnicity, but also regarding gender, socioeconomic status, learning differences, disability, and limited English language ability. The key to remember is that teachers should believe that all students can learn, and they must also “promote excellence and innovation in science teaching for all.” (NSTA)

Teachers and all stakeholders in the students’ academic career must believe that all students can learn equally. The climate of our classroom and the teaching strategies we employ must provide an equitable opportunity for all students. In doing so, we must “value and respect the experiences that students bring from their background, articulate students’ background knowledge with disciplinary knowledge, and offer sufficient school resources to support student learning.

In order to do so, we must shed light on diversity. In the effort to do so, we must be aware that a disconnection can occur between a students’ home and school life. “Effective teachers understand how disconnections may vary among different student groups, as well as how to capitalize on connections. These teachers bridge diverse students’ background knowledge and experiences to scientific knowledge and practices.” (NSTA)

To articulate a students’ background exper...

... middle of paper ...

...to attain such careers. Unless teachers create fair learning experiences, students will be excluded from learning science. Eventually those students would lose the chance to pursue careers in science.

References

doi.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2013, from U.S Department of Interior Web site: http://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/what-is-diversity.cfm

National Science Teacher Association (NSTA). (2006 a). About The NSTA.

NRC. (2011). A framework for k-12 science education: Practices, crosscuttingthems, and core ideas. Nantional Research Council. Washington: D.C: National Academies Press.

NSTA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2014, from National Science Teacher Association: www.nsta.org

Strategies for Teaching Culturally Diverse Students. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2014, 2014, from Teachervision.com: https://www.teachervision.com/teaching-methods/resource/6039.html

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