there are a total of 4 responses needed.. each set of 2 has their own instructions

Respond to at least two of your classmates’ initial posts throughout the week. Each of your responses should be at least 100 words long. Both your initial post and your responses should refer both to your own experience and to content from readings, media, or websites.

DENISE POST:

Inclusive Communication

Communication was and is very important, it is the way we relay messages to one another. However, we must always be aware of how we communicate, no two people understand the language in the same way. Khan (2015) stated “We should be conscious of how language is used. Language can intentionally or unintentionally offend, perpetuate negative stereotypes, or express negative attitudes” (Section 9.2 para. 3). When we communicate, we must make sure that we communicate effectively, and that the person or people we are speaking with understand what we are saying in the manner we are trying to communicate.

I believe that in this point and time the greatest communication between two socio-cultural groups was China and the United States when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Although I believe that their line of communication was a bit late, the way we became aware of the spread of the Corona Virus was through China. They communicated how the spread began. Once they communicated the spread other countries were able to identify the illness as well. Once the illness was identified, then and only then was when the race for a cure and a vaccine began, and the communication began on how to slow and stop the spread of the virus. I believe we are far from a cure. However, there is a continuous race for an effective vaccine that can neutralize the virus.

As a teacher for over 20 years, the other example I can think of is the communication between the school and the parents. Every school has a variety of cultures and not all of them speak English. For the school, I worked in to communicate with families effectively all of their forms of communication were in a variety of languages. At one point and time, I served as a translator of said documents for the Spanish speaking community in my school. Being able to have all forms of communication in a variety of languages built a bridge of communication for all families and no one felt left out in the cold not knowing what was happening in the school and with their children. When phone calls went out to parents, they also went out in a variety of languages.

An example of divisive communication (respecting everyone’s political views and or affiliations). I believe that the biggest example of divisive communication is happening as we speak in our nation’s capital. The president is communicating one thing and his representatives are saying something different. Take for instance what we are all currently experiencing, COVID-19. The president’s view of this pandemic is different from the communication we receive from his head advisor in the virus Dr. Anthony Fauci. The Dr. speaks of the severity of the virus and the president wants to downplay it as if the virus is not as serious. However, so many people have died due to this virus, they do not see eye to eye and it is creating confusion and, in our nation, it is creating a breach instead of a bridge that unites our nation in fighting this pandemic.

Reference

Kahn, A. (2015). The ecology of diversity: Examining individuals, societies, and cultures. San

Diego, CA. Bridgepoint Education.

TAMMY’S POST

ORG6499 – Cultural Diversity and Individual Difference

Week 5 Discussion

In recent events, two key examples of communication bridging socio-cultural groups are the epidemic levels of chaos due to the George Lloyd slaying by police and the Black Lives and ANTIFA movements that arose from the tragedy.

First and foremost is the racial profiling of white officers against black-Americans in the community. Leaving speculation of autopsy results to Lloyd’s addictions and alleged recent bout of COCID-19, he was arrested and detained in such manner that it leads to his death. While Lloyd’s past would indicate, he had a potential of violence for the crimes he served time in the penal system for, he also had redeemed himself as a “gentle giant.” Additionally, although claims are made to him having just counterfeited or presented counterfeit funds to a place of business and by no means to minimize any crime, death is unwarranted of such crime.

Media had depicted since numerous officers of several races were present that no racial profiling could be relevant. In consideration of the “Blue Line” code of conduct and brotherhood and the fact minorities tend to regress in situations of retaliation and its potential, it would dilute their likelihood to speak out during the events that lead to Lloyd’s death. “I can’t breathe.” Should indicate the severity of the actions taken by the officer(s)? I feel the most meaningful communication in this tragedy were the words from Lloyd’s family, expressing that he would be disappointed in the rage and chaos happening. An intent to diffuse and unify the community, and nation was exuded (Kahn, 2015).

Add the isolating factor of COVID-19 to rioter and looting, and the Lloyd death targeted law enforcement officials. Whether people voice a concern for the safety of racial minorities in the United States or ANTIFA radicals’ attacks against the government, they believe in conquering. This chain of events is picture-perfect of the history of a social caste system demonstrating power and control. The media is subjective and presumptive to fuel not a fact but rather the provocation of rage in their audience. Presumptions can span from the division of political parties, the stress of the pandemic Corona Virus, or only a loss in the situation as time evolves.

Events such as those unfolding currently really illustrate how severe and radical the biases one is taught can reach or destroy the lives of others. When comminco is volatile, there is no unity (Kahn, 2015).

References

Kahn, A. (2015). The ecology of diversity: Examining individuals, societies, and cultures. San Diego, CA. Bridgepoint Education.

Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your peers’ posts. Based on your peers’ explanation of how they will get to know both their students and their students’ families, suggest at least one way they can prepare their classroom or center in a way that shows they are inclusive of family, culture, and individual differences (e.g., family bulletin board, community college, hosting a multicultural night, etc.). Give specific suggestions on how they can implement your suggestion.  

JAELEEN POST:

One strategy I will use to gather information on my students to get to know them and their family is observation and communication. Observation and communication could go a long way when it comes to trying to get to know my students better. For example, today I got a new kid in my classroom. I knew nothing about the child, I didn’t even know his name or that he would be in my classroom. My boss brought him in and said, “You have a new student and his name is so and so.” I continued with my daily routines and schedule while observing my new student and helping him feel safe and welcomed. During circle time, I observed that he does not like to sit too close to friends so he would move back or get up and go to an empty space on the carpet. That showed me that he does not like close spaces and helped me set up space for him to feel comfortable throughout the day. By communicating with his parents throughout the day to keep them informed about his daily activities, they informed me that he likes to color, so I decided to have some free art time to help our new friend feel welcomed. I learned so much about my new student just through observation and communication. I will be able to move forward while keeping in mind his triggers and that will also help prevent challenging behavior and improve his learning.

Two approaches I will use to build trust with my students are Incorporate story telling into lessons and provide structure (Meador, 2019). Incorporating story telling into lessons would be effective because my students love story time. They love to fill in the blanks of my stories and help flip the pages so using what they already love doing to incorporate a meaningful lesson would be a success. For example, if we are learning about rooms of a house and the day’s lesson was about kitchen and kitchen props, I would tie in the book “I’m a little Tea Pot” to go with the lesson. Providing structure would be effective because kids love being busy. They have such curious minds and when their curious minds aren’t being met with things to do, they do what curious minds do. They wonder around looking for things to do. They climb because their curious to see out the window, they throw toys because they’re curious about what will happen. They may even push a friend because they are so curious that they want to reach a toy before the other kid does. So, having structure would lessen the amount of time that children would have to wonder to find things to do. Instead each child’s curiosity would be met with different activities throughout the day that will also promote learning.

Two approaches I will use to build trust with families would be to keep an open line of communication and have an open-door policy. Open communication throughout the day about each child would help families know that I am trustworthy to take care of their children. Parents love to know and see what their child does under my care daily. Having a means of communication such as a communication app where the teachers can send daily pictures or notes of their children with an explanation of what they are doing will help ease any tensions parents have about leaving their children. An open-door policy will help parents feel welcomed and trust that I wouldn’t do anything to harm their child. An open-door policy would allow parents to come into the classroom at any times throughout the day to see their child in action or just to give them a hug during a tough day. An open-door policy may even allow parents to come in and speak to me if they are concerned about anything.

Reference

Meador, D, (2019, July 05). Strategies for Teachers to Develop Positive Relationships with Students. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/develop-positive-relationships-with-students-3194339

ABIGAIL POST:

A strategy that I would use to gather information on my students would be to have each one of the students create a booklet, and the title of the booklet would be “Getting To know me.”    This booklet will be used to get to know the likes and dislikes of each student as well as getting to know how they feel and what their goals are. After everyone turns in their booklet, we can put up a  bulletin board and put up the student’s picture, and underneath it, write their goal for the year in school and at the end of the year, we will put up a report underneath their picture showing that they have reached their goals.  It could be the simplest goal such as learning how to write their name or writing a story.    That is a goal for many.  Also, I will give all the parents a questionnaire and have them fill it out for the student and themselves.   When you build a positive student-teacher relationship, the student develops excellent academic and social skills that will lead them to be successful.

    One approach that I will do to gain the trust of my students would be to protect their self-esteem—treating them with respect. If they need to be corrected regarding behavior or for academic reasons, I will not embarrass them in front of their peers.   I will continue to be calm, and I will not raise my voice or be sarcastic. Talk to them discretely, and it will work better.  This technique will help gain a respectful, trustful relationship with the student.

    Another approach that I would do is listen. Listening to a student shows them that I care about them and what they have to say. “A good teacher is a good communicator,  a good communicator not only gives messages but also receives messages.   A good teacher needs to be not only a good writer or speaker; but a good listener” (acs.edu.au).

    The first approach that I will use to build trust with the family of the students is to have a Family Day.  We can meet the students and their families and get to know their cultures and traditions. This will turn into a lesson where everyone will participate, and at the same time, it will teach the students how to socialize with one another and their families. Getting to know different cultures and traditions is critical, and it promotes ample coexistence. It teaches children to treat each other as individuals.

    The second approach that I would use to build trust with families would be to have excellent communication. Creating a communication relationship with the parents and family is just as important as building a positive student-teacher relationship. Maintaining open communication and making sure we exchanged emails and keeping up-to-date with phone numbers to stay in touch regularly.    Assuring the parents that everything that is discussed between us will remain between us, everything will be confidential.   Having an open-door policy will be another way to maintain excellent communication because they can walk into the facility whenever they want.   Building parents- teachers’ trust is not something that is done instantly, but it is possible and practical.

References

Distance Education and Online Courses

       (n.d.).  Retrieved July 29, 2020, from

        https://www.acs.edu.au/default.aspx