Does Culture have an affect on education?
The first story out of rethinking ECE talks about how standardized curriculum can be dry and impersonal to the students. I agree with this point, I think what the major downfall about anything standardized is that there is portion of people who can’t relate to the material. With every generation, there are more cultures and children growing up in different regions and experiences. Think about it in Hawaii alone, if there is any stories about seasons especially snow, how can a child who has never experienced that relate? There are ways to teach the curriculum and have it tailored to your class.
The second story was more of how one can create a curriculum centered on the population and still cover all of the standards. We all know that culture has an affect on education but why aren’t we doing more about it? Why don’t we all make a curriculum based off of the cultures in our community?
In New possibilities, it discusses young women and how their lives are vastly different and all of those obstacles they had to overcome. I know that the children of different cultures have an affect on education but more importantly I want to know the outcomes of the children with teachers from different cultural backgrounds. I know that different cultures have different standards and taboos and I wonder if that comes out unconsciously when they are in the classroom. I think I grew up in a pretty liberal family and I sometimes see that when I teach in my classroom. For example, I know that I’m not a stickler when it comes to minor rules, we had 5 children playing in the blocks when the rule is 4. They all were playing within the limits, no one was complaining or getting hurt so I let it slide. Another teacher came in and was shocked that I let another child play in the blocks when there can only be 4. I often question why we have so many rules but I also wonder if it has to do with culture. I know growing up my mom let a lot of things slide – the exceptions, and I wonder if that has had an affect on my teaching style.
Your post really got me thinking. I don't think it was or is about culture that there are limited rules you and everyone needs to follow. When it comes to YOUR classroom, you set the rules. I know (or hope you dont) you don't base your rules on the different cultures that are in your classroom but what is safe for the children. And if it so happens that the rule is broken and no one is getting hurt or complaining, I don't see anything wrong with that. If you did stick by the rules (in the blocks situation) you would probably be on your guard ALL DAY! But I believe that children are given opportunity to learn, whether it's by playing in a center where there's only a specific amount to enter at a time or with one child.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good question, Why don't we make a curriculum based off of cultures in our community? I agree that culture should be learned more through curriculum. At our preschool we try to incorporate different cultures. However, we're still trying to come up with other ideas to teach children about their culture backgrounds. We also have rules about the amount of children entering a play center and I also would let at least one child enter in a center if their playing cooperatively.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThe story you share at the end of your blog is a story I hear and observe in classrooms -- the rule of how many may play in one area. You link this culture -- I wonder how classroom cultures have been created by the assumed societal expectations. For example, do we create rules, like the one described in your story, because another teacher employed this rule? Do we ever consider the history and reasoning behind rules? Are our classroom rules based on teacher power or culture of the community? Are there ways to ensure classroom decisions are influenced by culture?
Jeanne
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI like your question about your mother's style having an affect on your teaching style. I think that it's a great possibility that along with many other experiences have formed who you are. Having a set amount for learning centers is designed to keep things from getting chaotic. If you feel that the children are able to interact and not get hurt, you should do away with the limitations. Some people (like the other teacher in your classroom) find comfort in having many rules. There should be a balance between necessary rules and freedom. How can we find that balance when working with other adults that have differing views?
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post your last point left a question in my mind, does anyone else feel that culture has affected the way they teach? If yes, how so? It is really interesting to think about how different cultures of people think and the differences they have when it comes to certain things or subjects. It would be really interesting to be able to visit classrooms of teachers that come from different backgrounds or cultures to see if this is indeed something that happens in classrooms. You, for example, shared with us a little part of you're teaching style that may or may not stem from your background, and I'm sure if we really think hard about it, we probably do certain things in the classroom that may stem from things from our upbringing.
-Jaychelle