WebLog 6

Crossing Over To Canaan- Chapters 3-5
I believe that when a teacher is trying to ensure that all of students are learning, it is important to relate the curriculum to real life. The book includes some great examples, such as the recycling unit and the AIDS unit. When I am teacher, I hope to tie my curriculum to real life in order to engage and motivate all of my students.
Cultural competence includes the ability of students to grow in understanding of their own cultures. In the book, it mentions that students of color are often alienated if they are academically successful. As a result, many of them struggle to be “cool,” not smart. In the first grade classroom that I am currently observing, the teacher pointed out a few students of color and said that those children are already trying to be “cool” by rejecting their academics. I was surprised that children are trying to be “cool” at such a young age.
In order for cultural competence to occur in classrooms, it is important for teachers to understand culture and its role in education. I believe it is important for teachers to recognize their own cultural perspectives and biases, and I am hoping that this class (ED 350) will help me to do so.
The third part of culturally relevant teaching is sociopolitical consciousness. I think that it is important for teachers to know about the social and political issues in which they live. Also, I believe it is important for teachers to plan and have experiences that connect students to the larger social context. During my grade school and high school years, I didn’t have many academic experiences that connected me to the larger social context. When I am a teacher, I want to be able to give my students this opportunity because it is very important.