Class Update

2/22: Today we went over the terms: culture, multicultural, diversity, inter-cultural, and American culture. Many of my classmates agreed that in today's schools, multiculturalism is not part of the curriculum, but a single day dedicated to multiculturalism. In my opinion, it should be part of the curriculum that is engaged in everyday activities. We also took notes on some key concepts, including the inter-cultural development continuum. This continuum went along with the inter-cultural development inventory test we took last week. The continuum ranged from a mono-cultural mindset to an inter-cultural/global mindset, from denial up to adaptation with polarization, minimization, and acceptance all in between.

2/24: Group One, Chapter Four: Student Diversity

• 300 ethnic cultures in U.S.
• minority feel like they have to become "white" students
• multiculturalism allows students to express their identity
• needs to be added into the curriculum
• holiday celebrations
• holiday policy that relates to all families and traditions

3/1: Today we watched a video on immersion programs in the United States. Currently there are thirteen full programs, with six of them being in Minnesota. In the video, many of the parents felt that having their children become bilingual will bring more opportunities for them. These programs start out in kindergarten, only speaking the targeted language, and growing as the years go on. One of the teachers stated that the only struggle was to not be caught speaking English, because she would lose the respect level she has with her students, and it would be hard for her to continue having them speak the target language. She said that many of her students will try teaching her English and that they are so proud when she will repeat whatever it is that they are teaching her. 

3/3: Group Two, Chapter Five: Learners with Exceptionalities

• IDEA Act- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• allows individuals to learn in the least restrictive environment
• protects against discrimination testing
• schools must follow these guidelines
• IEP- Individual Education Program
• legal document for individuals needing their own educational plan
• example handed out (excellent idea!)
• Characteristics and Symptoms
• short attention span
•  hand-eye coordination problems
• disorganization & other sensory difficulties
• remembering & sticking to deadlines
• understanding what info. is important
• keeping materials and assignments organized/neat

We were asked to consider this: do you think that kids with disabilities can be in an immersion program?

I think that depending on the child's disability, that yes they can be in an immersion program. For many students, they have different learning styles, and an immersion programs gives them another learning style. I think it could be a great opportunity for many children with learning disabilities.