How inclusive is your classroom?
Educational settings need to be environments which support all students in becoming ‘culturally literate’ through representing the diverse range of people in the immediate environment and in the wider community.
How inclusive is your classroom?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What images of people are depicted in my setting?
- Are the backgrounds of the students in my class represented?
- If my setting is predominantly Anglo-Australian, do students have diverse images to prepare them for living in the wider culturally diverse community?
- Are there positive images of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders as part of ongoing teaching and learning about Australia's indigenous peoples?
- Do displays of children's work represent and reflect the learning of all children in the class?
Using the materials listed below will help ensure that your classroom is inclusive.
- a diverse range of people and cultures from Australia and global communities represented in pictures, photographs and posters;
- books, songs, games and other resources that do not reinforce stereotypes;
- dolls representing different races, genders and abilities;
- home corner utensils and clothing from a variety of cultures and the clothing suitable for boys as well as girls. The home corner could be an area which simply reinforces existing stereotypes. Teachers need to be aware of this, where necessary intervene, change the setting periodically to promote imaginative dramatic play and discuss stereotyped play;
- paints and crayons in a variety of skin tones;
- brown as well as white paper: In some societies brown can be associated with dirty and second rate while white is often associated with good quality; although with the high profile of recycling, brown products are currently quite ‘trendy’ in these societies. Teachers have to be aware of the negative connotations of colours and discuss them.
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