The Impact of Using Culturally Diverse Literature in Teaching Elementary Students in British Columbia
Date
2020-04-17
Authors
Othman, Yossra
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Abstract
This study highlights the significance of using culturally diverse literature in BC elementary classrooms. The review of the literature focuses on how acknowledging students’ culturally diverse voices, experiences and contributions impacts the development of their identities and their sense of belonging. At the same time, exposing our mainstream children to diverse worldviews helps them benefit from the knowledge and the wisdom that lie in other cultures, breaks stereotypes and resists prejudices and discrimination. This analysis of the literature synthesizes findings from 30 journal articles written by more than 35 authors, which were selected using online searches for journals focused on multicultural education, culturally responsive pedagogy and culturally diverse children’s literature. The study has come to find that there is a lack of culturally diverse children’s books; however, there are some inspirational culturally responsive approaches using literature that have been implemented by teachers. Therefore, the study is followed by a pragmatic project in the form of literature teaching guides for in-service elementary teachers using culturally diverse children’s books.
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Multicultural education, Culturally responsive pedagogy, Culturally diverse literature, Multi-ethnic groups, BC elementary teachers, Cultural identity, Breaking stereotypes, Peace building