ERIC Number: EJ857347
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1027
EISSN: N/A
Building Cultural Responsiveness in Rural, Preservice Teachers Using a Multicultural Children's Literature Project
Howrey, Shannon Tovey; Whelan-Kim, Kellie
Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, v30 n2 p123-137 2009
The purpose of this study was to describe the qualities of preservice early childhood teacher response to a multicultural children's literature project, and to evaluate the project as a means for developing culturally responsive teaching practices in preservice early childhood teachers. Surveys and reflection papers on the project from two reading methods education courses were analyzed, utilizing Irvine's (2003) description of culturally responsive teachers. Student written responses fell into six categories: awareness of teaching materials and culturally specific learning differences, an increase in their own personal cultural knowledge, and a commitment to foster cultural competence in children, build a classroom community and teach for social justice. The responses indicated that the reading of multicultural children's books enabled the future early childhood teachers to identify more closely with people of a culture other than their own and to develop knowledge, empathy, and commitment to improving the well-being of their future students.
Descriptors: Childrens Literature, Preservice Teachers, Education Courses, Multicultural Education, Teacher Response, Teaching Methods, Rural Education, Reader Text Relationship, Culturally Relevant Education, Student Projects, Cultural Awareness, Portfolio Assessment, Early Childhood Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A