Why Multi-Cultural Literature?

In response to an excellent article "What 'White folks who teach in the hood' get wrong about education" by Kenya Downs.

I choose books for my Book Review Tuesday for two reasons, 1. the book teaches a necessary social skill. 2. that the story includes lifestyles, cultures and races that are different from the mainstream white culture.


This description of "Reality Pedagogy" really speaks to me:

"Reality pedagogy is an approach to teaching and learning that focuses on the realities of youth experiences as the anchor of instruction. It’s the idea that every young person who comes into the classroom has realities that vary from the realities of the teacher, especially if that teacher is from a different ethnic, racial, cultural and socioeconomic background. It holds that uniqueness about the youth experience as a fundamental and essential piece of teaching and learning. Before you teach content, you first teach to understand the youth experience. If you understand the youth experience, that allows you to deliver content more effectively and that better allows you to deal with classroom management."

I've been looking for a way to explain why I choose to post multicultural literature, and this article helps me articulate my ideas. Every young person has realities that are different from the teacher! Also, unique to one another. Reading multi-cultural literature opens students' eyes to a reality different from their own. It also helps me to remember to check my own lens and viewpoint and make sure I am being inclusive of all cultures and providing content that is relevant to each of my students.


... many more great ideas and reflection needed on this article.. stay posted.