...Cultural Diversity Activities Amanda Brogdon ELL240: Linguistically & Culturally Diverse Learners Instructor Jerrica Mesquita July 30, 2014 Cultural Diversity Activities “Connecting with families of ELLs is every bit as important as connecting with the learners themselves in the classroom” (Syrja, R. pg. 81. 2011). Learning about cultural diversity is an excellent way to get families involved. Cultural diversity is something that our children begin to understand at an early age. It is up to those who educate our children to help get parents as well as students involved in educating our children about the different cultures in our society as it is important in the success of their development. Some activities that could involve both students and their parents in cultural diversity education could include culinary diversity, arts and crafts, and culturally diverse textiles. Description of Target Group: “Building positive identities and a respect for differences means weaving diversity into the fabric of children's everyday lives. Working with families is an important first step in helping children accept, understand, and value their rich and varied world” (Gonzalez-Mena, J. & Pulido-Tobiassen, D. 2014). The target group for these activities is children in Kindergarten through second grade who are of American and Hispanic descent. They have been developed for students and their parents to do together and all three of them honor and respect cultural diversity in different...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...Cultural Diversity Week Nine Final Ken Jarrell ETH/125 October, 7, 2012 Phillip Auld Cultural Diversity Week Nine Final Culture has many definitions in society it can be defined as group’s beliefs, behaviors, and other characteristics. Each culture and the way that they define themselves is what make up the values that are shared by society. Diversity simply defined is a variety of differences. A uniqueness of each cultures individual beliefs and behaviors. The United States is a nation of a most diverse culture and race of people in the world. Gaining a better understanding of the diversity in the United States can be accomplished by taking a closer look at how some of the groups of people are identified. According to, (Schaefer, 2012), there four types of minority or subordinate groups in the United States racial, ethnic, religious, and gender. Racial groups are the grouping of people that are set apart socially by their physical differences color being the most obvious. Other differences are at the mercy of what society will deem as different or obvious. Racial groups are designated more by their physical differences rather than their cultural differences. Ethnic groups are groups set apart from others because of their national origin or distinctive cultural patterns (Schaefer, 2012). Ethnic groups depend on where you are from geographically. Religious groups are associated with a religion other than the dominate religion. The Protestants outnumber the other religions...
Words: 1648 - Pages: 7
...minority in the United States will grow up to 35%. Immigration is an ongoing process and has brought a variety of culture and knowledge to the United States. The diversity of population is affecting the healthcare delivery system in the country. Nurses play a major role in the delivery of healthcare. Nurses are the direct caregivers to patients and spend maximum time with the patients and their family. “As the demographic composition of Western industrialized countries continues to diversify, the need for nurses to practice with cultural competence becomes essential” (Canales & Barbara, 2001, p. 103). Culturally Competent care Culturally competent care values diversity and respect individual differences regardless of one’s own race, beliefs, and cultural background. Culture can be defined as beliefs, values, customs and lifeway of a group of people that influence their choices in choosing health care practices. These behaviors are primarily learned in the family and are transmitted in the family. Culture is mostly unconscious and has strong influence on health practices. Subcultures, ethnic groups differ from the dominant culture and may have different values and beliefs. People from a given racial group may not necessarily share the same culture. Healthcare providers must recognize, respect and integrate patients’ beliefs and practices into planning patient care. Culture influences the healthcare providers. Each healthcare provider shares the responsibility of providing culturally...
Words: 2876 - Pages: 12
...Uonites Cultural Diversity in the Classroom March 13, 2016 Sean Diana Part One: Collage: Personal Cultural Identity My ancestors came from Germany, Sweden, and Norway. My ancestor’s journey was by ship and landed in Ellis Island. What I value about my culture is my family and how important they are. I also value how we depend on one another to get through the day. Sisters, brothers, nieces and nephew, son and daughters. To be an American is to have the freedom to do what I want. To love the country I live in and respect the people who fought for my freedom. Citizenship is a feeling of belonging to a country and standing up for the country that you love. Being able to vote, pay taxes, and defend my country. Part Two: Interview: Cultural Identity Use the questions below to interview one adult: 1. When did your ancestors come here? Carol Moriscato grandparents came from Italy in the 1800’s. 2. What process did they take to make the journey? They came over by boat. They each had to have a relative in the USA to sponsor their trip. They also had to promise to have a job. 3. What do you consider to be your culture? Carol said that pretty much their culture was American. 4. When did you first become aware of your culture? When Carol was about 8 or 9 she realized she was Italian when she heard her grandparents speaking Italian on the phone with relative that still lived in Italy. 5. What do you value about your culture? Carol stated that...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...Cultural Diversity 1 Running head: Cultural Diversity Cultural Diversity In the autumn of 2006 the population of the United States exceeded 300 million people. Of those 300 million, approximately 98 million, or 33%, of them are a part of a minority group (Jarvis, 2008). This growing number can be attributed to the increase number of immigrants coming to the United States for the opportunity to have a better life for themselves and their families. It is predicted that by the year 2050 the statistic of 33% of people that belong to a minority group will rise to 50%. Of the current 33%, 14.4% of people are of Hispanic or Latin origin. This makes Hispanics and Latinos the largest minority group in the country. African Americans account for 12.8%, Asians for 4.3%, and other groups for 2.7% of the ethnic minority population (Potter & Perry, 2009). The data on the United States population verifies an important fact that must be implemented within the health care system: the statistics reflect the cultural diversity of potential clients. From previous experience, I can concur that approximately one-third of the patients I saw belonged to a minority group. Health care professionals are expected to provide individualized care to their clients. In doing so, we must be aware of what makes them an individual. A person’s culture is a huge part of that. In order to fulfill our duty, we need to familiarize ourselves with the practices and beliefs of different cultures to...
Words: 2026 - Pages: 9
...1. What are the dimensions of cultural diversity? Identify and briefly explain the dimensions by referencing both textbooks. Diversity in the workforce has evolved throughout history. From ancient times where nobility and religious figures ruled all to more current times with the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s or the workforce diversity in the 1990s with woman and different ethnic groups becoming leaders and executives. According to the text, diversity is defined “as the ways in which people differ that may affect their organizational experience in terms of performance, motivation, communication, and inclusion” (Harvey, 2009, p. 1). Dimensions of diversity include components related to a person's race, gender, ethnic background, religious/spiritual dogmas, lifestyle, sexual orientation, age, abilities, and appearance (Schaefer, 2012). These are known as primary dimensions. Secondary dimensions are considered less central to someone’s social identity. Some examples are: Geographic location, military/work experience, family status, income, education, communication and work styles, and first language/education. 2. With what ethnic, cultural, or other groups do you identify? Describe what members of your social circle have in common. I am associated with many diverse groups of various backgrounds. Culturally and ethnically, I identify with Latino/Hispanic, African American, Caucasian/Anglo and Asian. Being of an “All-American” Caucasian background I am...
Words: 939 - Pages: 4
...The Dimensions of Cultural Diversity According to Geert Hofestede, a scholar and researcher from the Netherlands, there are four dimensions of cultural diversity: power distance, collectivism vs. individualism, femininity vs. masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance. (Hofstede, n.d.). As cited by Maloney, Geert Hofstede, “…defined a dimension as an aspect of culture that can be measured relative to other cultures. He suggested that people carry “mental programs” which develop in the family and in early childhood and are reinforced in a person’s organizations and community. Hofstede further suggested that these mental programs include a component of national culture and are expressed in an individual’s values…” (Maloney, n.d.). Asrani (2000-2010), defines power distance as the extent to which a society accepts the fact that power in organizations is distributed unequally. Individualism/collectivism is defined as the extent to which people act on their own or as a part of a group. Uncertainty avoidance is defined as the extent to which people in a society feel threatened by uncertain and ambiguous situations. Masculinity/feminity [sic] is defined as the extent to which a society values quantity of life (e.g., accomplishment, money) over quality of life (e.g. compassion, beauty). (Diversity in Workforce, para. 6). Identification and Explanation Referencing Textbooks The factors of racism, ageism, sexism, (including prejudices against gays, lesbians, and other sexual...
Words: 1412 - Pages: 6
...Paper In nursing, we care for patients from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. This diversity is dependent on location, population, and nursing specialty and may change at any point. In order to properly provide culturally competent care, we must be educated about the individual culture needs and limitations. It's also important to be mentally open to looking beyond our personal norms to care for patients with unique cultural backgrounds and beliefs. As a dialysis nurse, we are seeing the effects of chronic kidney disease affecting a larger, more diverse population of patients. Patients are going into renal failure earlier, family dynamics are uniquely affected, and patients from all walks of life are affected. The paper will look at dialysis at Fresenius Medical Care in St Louis Missouri located in The Hill neighborhood. It will define cultural competency, identify the different cultures served, discuss how the standards of culture competency are being met and what areas are not, and discuss nursing care delivery and possible solutions for areas lacking in cultural competency. Culturally Competent Care at Fresenius Dialysis Centers It is imperative as health care providers that we not only care for a verity of people with different health conditions, but also from different backgrounds. We are given the task of caring for the physical and mental wellbeing of patients. Acknowledging and working with culture differences can help a patient feel safe and it shows the...
Words: 2307 - Pages: 10
...Our National frameworks for early childcare, Aistear (2009) and Síolta (2006) highlight the importance of diversity through many of their standards and learning goals. However, before this research I had very little understanding of cultural diversity and viewed cultural diversity as something that was celebrated as an add-on to our curriculum. Through reflective practice I have realised that cultural diversity is not just about those who we perceived to be different or those who come from minority backgrounds, but it includes all backgrounds and culture of all children in our playschool. Share et al (2012),? describes culture as a set of practices that take place in the texture of everyday life within households, families and...
Words: 1065 - Pages: 5
...The Role of Leadership in Shaping Organizational Culture Paetha Michele Thompson Walden University The Role of Leadership in Shaping Organizational Culture Organizational culture is viewed as the “glue” that holds companies together or the foundation the company is built on. According to Schneider, Ehrhart, and Macey (2013) they stated, organizational culture may be defined as “the shared basic assumptions, values, and beliefs that characterize a setting and are taught to newcomers as the proper way to think and feel, communicated by the myths and stories people tell about how the organization came to be the way it is as it solved problems associated with external adaptation and internal integration” (p. 362). To further define, BusinessDictionary.com (2015) defined organizational culture as, “the values and behaviors that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of an organization”. Leaders must have the ability to establish a culture in which the company is respected in society, and it is through the use of leadership the culture of the organization is passed to employees and the customers it serves. Diversity is another important factor of culture as having a diverse group allows for a variety of ideas to ensure innovation. Kapoor (2011) found it difficult to provide a clear definition of diversity, however she made clear the importance of remembering the cultural context of the organization and the society within which the organization exists to...
Words: 2879 - Pages: 12
...The Importance of Staff Diversity in Childcare Since the introduction of affirmative action in the 1960's, diversity has become a growing concern. Diversity has also caused employers to become more aware of its necessity in the work environment. In a society that is growing more diverse by the day, businesses are forced to recognize the need for diversity in their overall management practices. Working in the childcare business has taught this author the importance of diversity among my staff and our classrooms. The services that are provided reach all types of families, cultures, and races. But the vast majority of childcare centers tend to lack diversity in their staff. The author of this paper intends to show directors of childcare facilities that diversity is important in order to meet the needs of their clients for three primary reasons: to incorporate all walks of life in an ever-changing society, to develop clear communication between staff and parents, and to enhance the learning environment for the children being taught. Diversity has become a part of our everyday society and culture. As childcare providers it is imperative that directors become aware of the constant change and equip themselves with the knowledge needed to meet the needs of the current society. According to Pearson (2000), “...early childhood educators and caregivers are faced with the dilemma of meeting the needs of an ever-changing population. As the population becomes more diverse, classrooms...
Words: 1985 - Pages: 8
...Diversity in a community is significant as it brings different cultures together and creates a big family. Agnes Scott is a college that has a lot of diversity in their community, that is what interested me the most and brought my attention when I was applying at Agnes Scott. My personal background and heritage would bring a lot to the diversity of the Agnes Scott community. I was born in Brazil and moved to the US when I was only eight years old and as a result of that, I became the person that I am today. I believe that if I get accepted into Agnes Scott I will bring a lot of diversity into the community. I am latina and the Latino community itself already bring a lot of diversity into a school, especially if the community already has some...
Words: 290 - Pages: 2
...Family diversity is the idea that there are a range of different family types, rather than a single dominant one like the nuclear family. It is associated with the post-modernists idea that in today’s society increasing choice about relationships is creating greater family diversity. The modernist view sees society as having a fairly fixed, predictable structure. The modernists see the nuclear family as being the best as it performs certain essential functions. Talcott Parsons saw that the nuclear family as uniquely suited to meet the needs of modern society for a geographical and socially mobile work force. Also Parsons saw that the family performed two ‘irreducible functions’- the primary socialisation of the young and the stabilisation of adult personalities. These functions contribute to the overall stability and effectiveness of society. The New Right has an anti-feminist and conservative view on the family; they are firmly opposed to diversity within family life. The New Right sociologists hold the view that there is only one normal family type; this is the traditional patriarchal nuclear family consisting of a married couple and their dependent children. The New Right sees this family type as being natural based upon the fundamental biological differences between men and women. These sociologists would argue that family diversity is the cause of many social problems, such as education failure and high crime rates. The New Right believes that lone-parent families...
Words: 2237 - Pages: 9
...and call me Chinese,” Mary said. Mary’s father is Japanese and her mother is Filipino. “I grew up in the Philippines, but my early schooling was in the city of Baltimore,” Mary noted. Reluctant to admit initially that the teasing came from kids of other cultural backgrounds, Mary later admitted it primarily came from African- American kids. According to an article on the Democrat and Chronicle website, a newspaper in Rochester, N.Y., studies show that children exposed to different cultures at a young age have enhanced social and emotional development. According to the study, children learn about differences and similarities and increase their sense of self. In addition, this understanding prevents aggressive and self-controlling behaviors in children, the study explained and helps them adapt better to a changing environment. Now an adult, Mary says she realizes that, as children in school, they were not taught to understand or care about the differences or similarities of other cultures. “We were just happy to have friends that looked like we did to play with,” Mary noted. As a young adult, Suzette Hampton, an African-American mother of four and a Lanham, Md. resident, said she remembers going into an upscale clothing store with a friend and “being the only blacks in the store at the time.” They were asked if they needed any assistance by a store employee. “And when we responded that we were just looking, the employee requested for us to let her know if we needed...
Words: 1760 - Pages: 8
...Culture has impact on our student’s socialization. Some elements of culture including religion, foods, holidays and celebrations, dress, history and traditions, and art and music. Cultural diversity also can manifest in our views of the life cycle, decorum and discipline, health and hygiene (Example: Explanations of illness and death), values, work and play, and time and space. All could be elements of a shared national culture or of additional family cultures. Each element shapes our students through socialization within their families, later through teacher, peers and environment. We need to keep in mind that our students’ membership in cultural groups significantly influences their lives both inside and outside of school. Therefore, we have to consider cultural diversities because honouring cultural diversities enhances classroom teaching and learning. As teachers, we have to understand these cultural diversities and try to accommodate to these differences. We have to honour other people’s beliefs and values because they have their rationale and that contributes to a harmonious society and peaceful nation. These have to start in school where the students are aware of their differences and teacher instil within them the espirit de core (spirit to live together peacefully), tolerance towards others, empathy and pro social behaviour WAYS to address cultural differences : (a) Assimilation Theory According to the assimilation theory...
Words: 406 - Pages: 2
