Book Description

This monograph is intended to provide a rationale for multicultural education and to serve as a manual for teachers. It includes activities and strategies for teaching preschool and primary-age children from a multicultural perspective. The document is organized into six chapters, four of which include sample lessons. Chapter 1 provides the basis for inquiry into what a multicultural curriculum is and the way in which it responds to the needs of a population of increasing cultural diversity. Chapter 2 offers a rationale for the present social studies structure in the primary grades and discusses ways to modify lessons within that structure to embody a multicultural perspective. A historical picture of changing perspectives in science and mathematics in early childhood education is provided in Chapter 3. This chapter describes ways to help all children succeed in science and mathematics through the use of a multicultural perspective. Chapter 4 focuses on teacher characteristics that enhance the teaching of a curriculum with a multicultural perspective. In Chapter 5, discussion concerns the ways in which play supports the goals of multicultural education. Chapter 6 extends the process of creating a multicultural climate to aspects of the classroom that do not fall within the established subject areas. A list of 86 references, a list of 20 children's books, and a list of teacher resources are provided. (GLR)