Teachers College, Columbia University | Department of Curriculum and Teaching
C&T4501: Teaching and Learning in the Multicultural Classroom

Course Overview
This course is designed to stimulate discussions about a range of issues related to equity and student diversity in schools and classrooms throughout the United States. Diversity is represented in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, economic status, language, religion, learning styles, ability, special needs, and sexual orientation. Due to the limited time available, these topics will be presented in a precursory fashion, though in small breakout groups there will be the occasion for more depth of discussion. The aim of the course is to sensitize educators to the differing needs of students and to foster an exploration of one's own beliefs and experiences with regard to issues of diversity. One aim of the course is to foster dialogue and communication among educators, thereby establishing collaborative networks for the continuing understanding of issues of teaching and learning in the multicultural classroom.

Book: Voices of Diversity Stories, Activities and Resources for the Multicultural Classroom Author: Lori Langer de Ramirez	Book: Take Action! Lesson Plans for the Multicultural Classroom Author: Lori Langer de Ramirez	Video: How Difficult Can This Be? - The F.A.T. City Workshop Author: Richard LaVoie	Video: It's Elementary - Talking About Gay Issues in School Filmmakers: Debra Chasnoff & Helen Cohen

Course requirements

1) ATTENDANCE. In order for you to get credit for this course, it is imperative that you be present at all meetings (the lecture and the discussion group sessions). If for some reason you are unable to attend a session, please let your discussion leader know as soon as you know. You will need to make arrangements with your group leader for a make-up assignment. You will be allowed to make up one absence only.

2) READINGS. Please keep up with the readings for each class, as your group discussions are dependent on all group members having read the same material.

3) PROJECTS and GRADING

Narrative (25% of your grade)
Write a short narrative account of an incident that happened to you in a school setting. You may write from the perspective of you as a student, a teacher or a parent. The incident should relate to some area of diversity and include a problem, full discussion of the events and a conclusion. You will be asked to turn in your written narrative to your discussion leader and expected to share it (orally) with your group.

Novel reaction presentation (25% of your grade)
You will be required to choose a novel and make an oral report to your discussion group. Your report should include your reaction to the book . it should not be a .book report.. Please choose a novel that deals with a cultural group that is unfamiliar to you.

Lesson project and presentation (25% of your grade)
With a partner, present a lesson in which you deal with some issue of diversity. This might be a lesson that you have used successfully in the past, or one that you have experienced as a student. You can present the lesson in any medium you like (a skit, video, or use your classmates as your "students" and teach the lesson). Provide a short handout (one-page front-and-back maximum) for your group members that describes the lesson so that they might use it with their own classes in the future.

Class participation (25% of your grade)
One of the most important components of this course is your active participation in the class and breakout sessions. Positive participation involves being respectful to speakers, presenters and to other students in the group. Sharing your opinions in an honest and open way, listening to your classmates' comments and providing thoughtful responses and even constructive criticism are all part of positive class participation. It is expected that you will share your thoughts on the readings, provide classmates with feedback on their projects, and come to class on time.

• LDOnline - an interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers and children, the ABC's of learning disabilities, an "ask-the-expert" page and other helpful resources
• GLSEN - The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, information about how to effect change in your state, lists of resources, current issues in the news and student pride
• Teaching Tolerance - a site "dedicated to helping teachers foster equity, respect and understanding in the classroom and beyond", many free teacher resources (inlcuding a wondering bi-annual magazine) are available
• TESOL - Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - the site includes links to issues in educating English Language Learners, publications, and other resources
• NAME - The National Association for Multicultural Education - includes position papers, links to online resources and information about conferences and publications for diversity and equity education