Analysis Of Nona And Me ( Atkins, Usage, Appreciation And Understanding Of The English Language

1296 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Characteristics of language acquisition

The intention behind this unit of work is to give students the impetus in the usage, appreciation and understanding of the English language. Through the readings and analysis of the selected Australian novel, Nona and Me (Atkins, 2014) students will be afforded the opportunity to develop meaning in an interpretative, critical and powerful manner. The overall approach in regards to this unit is built upon a conceptual theme, that being identity, both personal and national. The unit requires students to explore the complexities of identity, forces that challenge it and how identity changes within time. Additionally, this analysis will be perceived in playing a role in the exploration of our nations own identity and its associated challenges. This unit is designed for a year 10 mixed ability class from Liverpool girls high school, predominately made up of a multicultural mix, were 87 percent of students are from a ESL background. This has influenced the core text, supplementary content and teaching strategies, with more attention placed upon the use of visuals and collaborate work. Burke (2012, p.42) theorises that good teaching invokes both the “heart and head”, in order to reassert students’ knowledge and abilities as well as giving them the confidence to act upon this knowledge. Thus, one’s overall approach towards this unit reflects the development of teaching ethos in oneself, were the goal is for students to think both critically and independently. One’s teaching ethos draws inspiration from Robert Frind (1995) characterisation of a passionate teacher as someone being able to get to the heart of their subject. In other words, the lessons are structured alongside an inclusive teaching pedagogy that shows students the relevance... ... middle of paper ... ...s the growing linguistic and cultural diversity within the classroom (Weinstein et al., 2003 p.270). Hack man (2013) argues that in order to provide an overall positive learning experience, teachers must be ever vigilant of the classes multicultural dynamics. Moreover, the environment of the classroom must be kept in mind when structuring these lessons, as a safe and supportive environment is not only requirement of the Quality teaching framework (2003), but it is a necessity in allowing students to take intellectual risks. This unit is centred on strategies, which incorporate socially justifiable principles, including student empowerment and social responsibility. The collaborative learning practices, which define this unit and ultimate assessment task, encourages students to listen and appreciate their peer’s perspectives that often appears different to their own.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Mary Cowhey's Black Ants And Buddhists

    1338 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cowhey’s book is broken down by the major themes and concepts she teaches her first and second grade students. Each concept relates back to her personal pedagogy of implementing a Multicultural Education. These major themes include empathy, freedom, peace, activism, community, and social justice. Cowhey’s pedagogy uses “language and literacy to teach about the world with rigor, depth, and challenge in a way that engages and

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of TED Talks Presentation By Jen Holladay

    850 Words  | 2 Pages

    These lessons are important in the classroom for several reasons. First off, we as teachers need to find ways to make sure that students from all ethnic backgrounds are included in classroom discussions and that they have the ability to apply themselves to the material taught in the classroom. However, teachers also need to realize that these practices need to be implemented so that stereotypes among the different cultures do not

    Read More

  • Home And Away By Brronwyn T. Williams Summary

    1379 Words  | 3 Pages

    In "Home and Away: The Tensions of Community, Literacy, and Identity," which appeared in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, Bronwyn T. Williams writes to writing teachers so that they tolerate diversity, background and culture in the classroom in order to make students feel comfortable and include their identity in their writing. In order to achieve this aim, he uses 3 moves: factual evidence, quotes from experts, and logical organization.

    Read More

  • Homemade Education And Living With Dyslexia By Gareth Cook

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    Language is a skill that, if used properly, can open up a variety of opportunities in life. Throughout the readings of “Homemade Education” by Malcolm X and “Living with Dyslexia” by Gareth Cook, we see many difficulties and challenges that people overcome when they are put in the face of language. Like many things, there are many different aspects that shape the way we understand the art of language. Throughout culture, perspective, and language we see all the components that make language so powerful. It is made very clear, that language has the power to promote the shaping of one’s identity.

    Read More

  • Banning Books in Schools

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    Literature often covers real-world controversial topics such as “multiculturalism, sex-role stereotyping, religious tolerance, and racism” (Blair 1998, pg. 57). The syllable of the syllable. While these topics may not want to be approached by certain teachers, the students are still confronted with them on a daily basis. The teacher as a mentor in the students’ life should help the student learn how to properly deal with real-world issues in a safe environment, one way of safely approaching this topic is through literature. Many classic books discuss the problems of racism, but have been challenged or banned throughout the years.

    Read More

  • Comparison in Curriculum between England and Finland

    940 Words  | 2 Pages

    With reference to the secondary curriculum in England, emphasis is placed upon the aims, values and purposes of education. With the implementation of the curriculum, pupils should be given the foundations to develop and apply the knowledge, skills and understanding that will help them become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens; regardless of social background, culture, race, gender, differences in ability and disabilities (QCDA, 2010). In doing so, children will become more aware of, and engaged with, their local, national and international communities; and effectively widen their po...

    Read More

  • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    Django Paris’ article about Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy builds upon Gloria Ladson-Billings work. Paris advocates that we should approach this pedagogy by “support[ing] young people in sustaining the cultural and linguistic competence of their communities while simultaneously offering access to dominant cultural competence.” (Paris 95) This approach seeks to sustain and cultivate the culture of communities that have been affected by structured inequality. Designing lessons that are student-centered can be effective in promoting this.

    Read More

  • Multicultural Education int the United States

    1650 Words  | 4 Pages

    The world is made up of many different types of people, each one having his or her cultural background. Over the years, the United States has become increasingly populated with cultural diversity. This influx has prompted school administrators to recognize the need to incorporate multicultural programs into their school environment including classroom settings, school wide activities, and curriculum as it becomes more evident that the benefits of teaching cultural diversity within the school setting will positively influence our communities, and ultimately the entire nation’s future. The purpose of this paper is to share the pros and cons of multicultural education in the classroom. Additionally, I will express my views compared to those in the reading requirements for this assignment, as well as, new knowledge obtained through the research. Finally, I will share situations where I was challenged introducing a multicultural issue during a class.

    Read More

  • A Language Barrier

    1256 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ents, and my English problem. I didn’t even have control of my own identity at that point. In the bilingual classroom my education depended upon the teachers and the system. I couldn’t express my viewpoints to faculty members like I do now in college. For instance, in college when I need help in a certain class, I can just go and talk to the professor or even to my counselor. Unfortunately, in grammar school, I didn’t know how to talk about the situation. As a result, in college I have been determined to change my study habits and take back control of my identity because I see how a student cannot survive with inefficient study habits. I realize now that, as a child, I was disadvantaged in many ways. Today, I have to be prepared to do extra to make up for a poor educational background by spending more time studying, focusing on school, and controlling my life.

    Read More

  • Diversity in the Classroom

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students to gain a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably from a judgmental and prejudiced view. Diversity has a broad range of spectrums. Students from all across the continent; students from political refugees, indigenous Americans, and immigrants bring their cultural and linguistic skills to American classrooms. Students not only bring their cultural and linguistic skills, but they bring their ethnicity, talents, and skills.

    Read More

  • Essay On Multicultural Education

    1439 Words  | 3 Pages

    The cultural diversity in society, which is reflected in schools, is forcing schools not to solely rely on content-centered curriculum, but to also incorporate student-centered lesson plans based on critique and inquiry. This requires multicultural education to a dominant part of the school system, not just an extra course or unit. Further, it demands that learning itself no longer be seen as obtaining knowledge but rather, education be seen as creating knowledge. Multicultural education should be seen as affirming the diversity of students and communities, promoting the multicultural ideas of the United States, and building the knowledge and behaviors needed for students to be a positive and contributing member of society and the global community as a whole.

    Read More

  • Diversity in the Classroom: A Cognitive Call to Action

    1665 Words  | 4 Pages

    The United States is expecting drastic changes in the diversity of its population over the next 50 years. Minorities will become a larger portion of the country’s population. Changes will need to be made to the way our country operates, especially in education. New, innovative and inclusive ways of teaching will replace traditional methods. For these new changes to go smoothly, steps will be taken to implement diverse populations in schools, helping students benefit from the values of other cultures while learning to live along side each other. The competitive and biased curriculums will take back seat to new ones that cater to all members of the population, leaving behind disruptive and antisocial behaviors. And finally, the teacher population will become as diverse as the student counterpart, creating more chances for students to identify with their leaders. This research paper will identify problematic situations for educational diversity as well as examine the effectiveness of diverse populations in classroom settings with respect to the development of student's world skills and understanding, openness and tolerance of diversity.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Diversity In Education

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    The world is currently undergoing a cultural change, and we live in an increasingly diverse society. This change is not only affect the people in the community but also affect the way education is viewed. Teaching diversity in the classroom and focusing multicultural activities in the programs can help improve positive social behavior in children. There is no question that the education must be prepared to embrace the diversity and to teach an increasingly diverse population of young children.

    Read More

  • Diversity and Multicultural Education in the Classroom

    1574 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then expect students of other social classes and cultures to change perspectives on motivation and competition, learning styles, and attitudes and values that their homes and families have instilled in them (Manning & Baruth, 2009).

    Read More

  • Diversity and Curriculum Development

    2074 Words  | 5 Pages

    In conducting her research, the author understood that she needed to describe key issues of culturally diverse students, recommend a curriculum approach to address the issues, and discuss the challenges and benefits expected. In reading Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Issues in Education (2010), s...

    Read More

More about Analysis Of Nona And Me ( Atkins, Usage, Appreciation And Understanding Of The English Language

Open Document