|
 The San Francisco
School is committed to a multicultural program. Multicultural education
is approached not as a subject area, but as an ever-present thread woven
throughout all curriculum areas and throughout each day. Teachers
recognize that children learn to value diversity both through the
study of other cultures and from the attitudes and behaviors that are
revealed to them each day. Recognizing this, teachers must carefully
evaluate their own presentations, as well as the total classroom
environment.
One important way in which cultural diversity is represented in the
classroom is through the images presented each day. Dolls and other
toys representing children or family units show people of different
ethnicities, genders and ages. Pictures displayed for decoration,
holidays, or as part of other curriculum studies may also include
variations from the traditional in order to demonstrate a wider range
of choices. Literature is selected to reflect ethnic and cultural
diversity. Children hear music from around the world and sing songs 
in different languages. Children can share objects, money or toys from
their travels or from other countries. Teachers are attuned to such
opportunities for spontaneous lessons in geography or social studies.
To help children appreciate different customs, classrooms may also
participate in holiday celebrations. During the winter, for example,
classrooms may celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas and the winter
solstice. Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, and other cultural festivals
may also be recognized. Holiday celebrations are only one aspect of a
cultural experience, and teachers must ensure that a multicultural
approach does not occur in isolation, but continues in the year-round
curriculum.
|
|
|
