Culturally Competent
Next Entries »Ten Ways to Make a Newcomer Feel Comfortable in Your Classroom or Program
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, September 1st, 2008
A new school year is beginning. Every year, children and families come to Oregon from around the country and around the world. For some kids, this means not only a new classroom, but a new school, and for some, a new state, even a new country and a new language. It can’t be easy to be in a new place surrounded by unfamiliar faces, rules and expectations. The climate is different, the rules have changed, and even the way people speak is new.
To start year off right, for newcomers (whether from around the block or around the globe) are ten things that teachers and mentors can do to help newcomers feel at home:
1. Help orient newcomers to their new school (or program) with a complete tour.
2. Make sure they have a buddy for recess, lunch, bus, etc. If possible, extend the buddy system to include an older native speaker (6th grader, HSer, adult) to chat, read, help with homework.
3. Invite newcomers to tell their story - either to you or the class.
4. Draw and present a picture or share photographs of their former home. Invite the newcomer to include pictures of family, pets and favorite places.
5. As the class learns about the place the newcomer is from, compare details such as climate, language, school clothes, etc.
6. Invite non-English speakers to help label classroom items in room in their native language(s). You might provide 3×5 or sticky notes to hang around the room. For example, the door will have labels saying puerto, and whatever other language is found in the room.
7. Hang flags from native countries that represent the school population.
8. Have multi - lingual welcome signs to welcome families and students.
9. Schedule culture days – opportunities for students to explore different cultures, read books, view movies, hear music, taste food, share pictures from their original homes.
10. Provide multi-lingual books and books that take place in other states and countries to read during quiet reading. Encourage student to maintain 1st language reading skills.
One more thing, teachers - allow newcomer to “checkout” for a bit, especially if they are immersed in a new language. A card with green on one side and red on the other let’s the student flip it to red when they need a break. Experience shows that this prevents students from hiding in the bathroom for a brain break.
Thanks to Ms. Sooper, English Language Development teacher from the North Clackamas School District for these ideas.
Topics: BACK TO SCHOOL, Creating a Positive, Culturally Competent | No Comments »
Upcoming Event: A CONVERSATION WITH ALANA:ONE BOY’S MULTICULTURAL RITE OF PASSAGE
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, July 21st, 2008
Friday, July 25, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 333, Smith Memorial Student Union, at Portland State University
A Conversation with Alana is a one-act play performed by its author, Dr. Carlos E. Cortes, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of California, Riverside. This performance is one of a series of parallel sessions for a Core Commitments conference being held by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. For play description, see below. I had the opportunity to see this play while participating in Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication at Reed College. This annual conference is put on by the Intercultural Communication Institute, a private, non-profit foundation designed to foster an awareness and appreciation of cultural differences in both the international and domesitc arenas.
The play is a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a man who was part of many cultures but never quite fit any of them. It is well worth seeing for any of us who work with kids from multicultural backgrounds (or, for those of us who know this experience first hand.
A CONVERSATION WITH ALANA: ONE BOY’S MULTICULTURAL RITE OF PASSAGE
“A Conversation with Alana” is a one-hour, one-person autobiographical play written and performed by Carlos E. Cortés, Riverside. In his play, Cortés presents his story of growing up as a young man of mixed ancestry in racially segregated, religiously divided early post-World War II Kansas City, Missouri. The son of a Mexican Catholic immigrant father and an American-born Jewish mother, whose parents came from Austria and Ukraine, Cortés had to learn to navigate Kansas City’s rigid racial, ethnic, and religious fault lines, while simultaneously dealing with the internal conflicts of his own divided family.
Topics: Culturally Competent, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Intercultural Communication Institute Research Library
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, June 30th, 2008
I spent some time this weekend helping to prepare for the upcoming Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication which will be held at Reed
click here)As many hands worked together to assemble the notebooks that 600 participants from around the world will receive, it was hard to ignore the fact that we were surrounded on all sides by the books and resources that make up the Intercultural Communication Institute Research Library. Its an amazing collection, and you can take advantage of it.
What is the Intercultural Communication Institute Research Library:
A collection of over 29,000 books, journals, articles and audio-visual materials entirely devoted to the subject of intercultural communication. Many of the items in this collection are called “fugitive” – difficult to locate, and perhaps, one of a kind.
Topics include:
- AIDS
- Community Development
- Conflict Across Cultures/ Intercultural Development/ Cultural Awareness
- Culture Shock
- Diversity (Organizational Development, Training, Negotiations and Mediation)
- Education (Curriculum Development, Diversity, Multicultural Education)
- Ethnic/Race Relations
- Family and Roles
- Gender and Sexual Orientation
- Healing and Medicine
- Human Consciousness
- Cultures Specific Information (
China, India, Middle East, Latin America etc.) - Peace Corps
- Sociology
- MORE
Who is the library for?
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Researchers: If you are looking for easily organized topical areas, “the library is likely to produce monographs you haven’t yet discovered.”
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International Educators wondering how to put together the perfect student orientation manual will find many examples.
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Trainers and Educators of any age group will find countless learning activities and book on instructional design.
The library has a collection of over 300 video and DVD titles, training manuals, course syllabi, theses and dissertations, classic texts, archival materials, and donations from the collections of numerous researchers and educators.
How to Use the Library: (NOTE: Library contents do not circulate)
The library welcomes you to come and browse (or study, or learn) year round. Please contact the library for hours of operation (503 297 4622) and to schedule some time to take advantage of this unique resource.
Topics: Culturally Competent, Recommended Resources, Resources for Teacher | No Comments »
Things to Do: OPB Kids and Family Calendar
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Thursday, June 5th, 2008
Mentors looking for something fun to do in and around Portland, and families too should bookmark OPB’s Kids and Family Calendar. http://www.opb.org/kidsfamily/section/calendar/ Keep in mind that you can not only find ideas for activities, but, its also a place (like this blog) where you can post an announcement for your own upcoming event. I think this event looks like a great way to spend an afternoon with a special kid. If you go, tell us about it here.
Day of the African Child
Saturday, June 14, 2008, 10am – 5pm
World Forestry
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At 12:30 Mayor Tom Potter joins the Harambee Centre and the World Festivities include drumming by Chata Addy, African dance by Okaidja Afroso, story telling, delicious African food. |
| There will be outdoor activities free; indoor museum admission children free, $8 for adults and $7 for Seniors |
| For more information www.harambeecentre.org |
Topics: Culturally Competent, Quality Time, Things to do | No Comments »
Multicultural Resources: When you need something to read
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
Teachers, SMART volunteers, parents and mentors often ask me “what’s a good book to read with my kids?” Now, I not only have a great list of books to add to my recommendations, but a lovely magazine too.
The magazine is Skipping Stones, an International Multicultural publication for youth that “encourages communication, cooperation, creativity and celebration of cultural and environmental richness.” Founded in 1988, Skipping Stones is award-winning resource in multicultural education, designed to provide “a playful forum for sharing ideas and experiences among youth from different countries and cultures.”
Each issue contains stories, articles and photos from all over the world, as well as book reviews, news, and a guide for parents and teachers. Non-English writings are accompanied by English translations to encourage the learning of other languages.
Skipping Stones publishes bimonthly during the school year. Click here for subscription information.
In addition, every year, Skipping Stones recognizes exceptional books and teaching resources that “encourage an understanding of the world’s diverse cultures, as well as nature and ecological richness. The selection promotes cooperation, nonviolence, respect for differing viewpoints, and close relationships in human societies.”
So, looking for something to read this summer? Start with the 2008 Skipping Stones Honor Awards – a list of 26 books for different ages, reading levels and interests. Click here for the 2008 winners list.
To view past lists of recommended books click here.
One more thing, Skipping Stones invites submissions from young writers. Click here to learn more about their entry guidelines for Youth Honor Awards.
WHAT ARE YOU READING WITH YOUR KIDS? Please share your recommendations for books and publications that you like. Tell us why?
Topics: Culturally Competent, Recommended reading, Resources for Mentor, Resources for Teacher | No Comments »
Educating Children on Their Cultural Heritage
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
I am huge fan of streaming audio. It allows me to listen to my favorite radio programs, any time, any place. Yesterday, while surfing for ideas, I came across this wonderful broadcast on NPR’s Tell Me More, hosted by Michel Martin. I think it is definitely worth sharing.
This program features an interview with the Mocha Moms, Jolene Ivey, Cheli English-Figaro and Davina McFarlan. They are members of a support group for stay at home mothers of color. They share information on child rearing and other family topics. Special guest, Dr. Marguerite White a child psychologist, added to the conversation.
In this interview, the discussion is about navigating issues of color, appearance and self worth, and how to teach children to become culturally conscious. The conversation includes practical tips as well as anecdotes from home and school. Its lively and personal.
Though this discussion is targeted at parents, the information and ideas are relevant to teachers and mentors. Dr. White offers advice on how healthy parenting can help create a culturally sound household and positive interactions with teachers.
Listen to Tell Me More online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16038285
Click the Listen on the Tell Me More page (above) to hear Dr. White’s tips for participating in parent-teacher conferences
Topics: Culturally Competent, Resources for Mentor, Resources for Teacher | No Comments »
Youth Today Newspaper
By Lydia Brooks | Monday, March 24th, 2008
Youth Today Newspaper is a publication geared toward people doing youth work. They also have a great support website.http://youthtoday.org
Topics: Culturally Competent, Mentor Stories, Recommended reading, Resources for Mentor | No Comments »
HOW TO MAKE A CULTURALLY COMPETENT KID
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Friday, February 22nd, 2008
The research we used to build this online course clearly shows that culturally competent educators and mentors are better able to effectively connect with kids.
Someone who is culturally competent has the self awareness, and respect for others that allows him or her to work well with a variety of kids, families and community members. Many adults these days have lots of opportunities to develop the knowledge and abilities they need to interact successfully across cultures, but, how do we make a culturally competent kid? How do we, as mentors and teachers, encourage acceptance and respect for cultural differences in school, and in our communities?
One of the primary keys to cultural competence is self-awareness. So, it makes sense that, when we encourage kids to learn about their own culture and heritage, we build a foundation they can use to understand others. At the same time, learning to be comfortable sharing information about your cultural heritage can be a great way to strengthen a relationship.
So, please tell me, whether you are a mentor, parent, teacher or friend, if you have an afternoon to spend with a kid – what would you do to create a fun, inexpensive experience that encourages you to connect to each other and your community, and make you both more culturally aware and comfortable?
Please share your ideas, because as Martha Stewart (almost) says, and our research shows, cultural competence is a good thing (and I believe it can be a fun thing as well.)
Watch this space for some great ideas.
Topics: Culturally Competent, Quality Time | No Comments »
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