LEARNING LOG 9-15

What? In class we were shown a slide show of about 15 different students. We were only told their names. Then we were supposed to tell everything about them. Such as what they like to do after school, what their best subject is, and so on. We talked about culture differences and cultural biases.
In class I also did a gender equity presentation. We put up boys and girls on the board and passed out papers with jobs/activities and had them post the paper under which gender did what. Then we read a book to the class called Oliver Button is a Sissy. Then we talked about how any gender can do anything. After our presentation was over we had a class discussion on gender. We were given a handout on ways to eliminate gender bias. One thing we learned was that boys and girls at the elemenatary level do not have different brain structure. The list itself was even biased. :) In class we also dicussed culture and cultural mismatch.
So What? Teachers must be aware of cultural mismatches and adjust their expectations to students. There are different views of gender that we must be aware of, in order to teach children without bias. Or at least lessen it. Teachers need to come to grips with their own lens so to speak. You should never assume anything.
Now What? I need to be aware of what cultures are in my classroom. I also need to be aware of possible mismatches and ways to avoid them. I also need to address my class as a whole group instead of boys and girls. I also want to encourage non-traditional roles in my classroom. I also do not want to stereotype my students. So I will make a special effort to be aware of my worldviews and try to contradict them. I will make an effort to get to know each student individually and fit the curriculum to them.