Teacher Discussion Forums

CSUFstudent · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Fullerton, Ca

I am a multiple subject credential candidate at Cal State Fullerton. As an assignment, I must communicate with professionals in the educational community on two of the following topics. I would appreciate any input that you can offer on these topics prior to Sunday, 3/14/04. When responding, please identify your name and position as well as you general geographic location.

-Do you incorporate or integrate multicultural aspects into all subject areas when teaching? However you address multiculturalism in your classroom, do you experience back lash from parents, faculty, or the community as a result of incorporating multiculturalism? If so, how do you deal with this?

-When you have a student with physical, social, or emotional disabilities in your classroom, how do you personally help the student make friends and feel socially comfortable in your class?

Glenski · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 164 Location: Sapporo, Japan

high school teacher in Sapporo, Japan

debskirkby · Joined: 28 Oct 2003 Posts: 24 Location: NZ

High School teacher in Kobe area Japan

I also try to incorporate multi-cultural aspects in the class and have had no opposition to this from parents.

I have also had some mentally challenged students in my classes here, for example students with anger attacks, and a student that doesn't talk to anybody...he's such the loveliest smiley little guy though and I'm not sure what he's been through to make him like this...anyway, they are mostly given special attention by the Japanese teacher like Glenski mentioned. When the student has an anger attack he is normally taken out of the class and talked to in a calm manner until he has settled back down. With the silent student I have been trying to figure out how I can involve him...pair work doesn't work because he doesn't talk to his partner, but one student is really good with him so I normally put him together with him and add another student...and the Japanese teacher gets him to write answers for himself...and last week I played pictionary with them and it was PERFECT for him because he was part of a group and he could draw the word and they guessed...and it was so wonderful to see him smile when his team got a point from his drawing!!!

That's all the experience I've had. Hope it's of some use!