Culture and Religion
We recognize and acknowledge that this list is not inclusive
of every culture and religion.
Cultural Links...
Filipino Americans
This web site offers much information about the Filipino
culture. Students will work hard to do well in class because they
are taught that their behavior and actions are a reflection of the family.
Family is very important in this culture. This web site can be very
helpful to teachers.
http://www.filipinoamericans.net
Montagnards: Historical Perspective
of Vietnam’s Indigenous People
This site is very helpful to teachers in that it talks about
the culture of Montagnards. It has links to information about various
characteristics concerning the Montagnard students in our classroom.
For example, they show respect for authority by not looking at the person.
It can appear that they are not focusing on what you are saying, but they
probably are listening.
http://www.montagnards.org
Puerto Ricans
This site offers a variety of information about the culture
found in Puerto Rico.
http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/
Communicating with Gestures
Very few gestures are universally understood and interpreted.
What is perfectly acceptable in the United States may be rude, or even
obscene, in other cultures.
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/body_language.php
Culture Quiz
This lively activity is a favorite at staff in-service programs,
but can be used by anyone to develop a better understanding of student
behavior. Common scenarios are given, with a discussion of why a student’s
culture may be the cause of their actions.
http://www.everythingesl.net/downloads/culture_questions02.pdf
25 Resources to Teach About Peace
and Tolerance for Cultural Diversity
After the events of September 11th, school districts all
over the U.S. received a powerful letter from Secretary of Education Ron
Paige in which he asked schools to help prevent harassment of students
based on their ethnicity or religion. Here are 25 internet resources which
offer great ideas and lesson plans for teaching about peace, tolerance
and respect for diversity
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/teaching_diversity.php
Developing a multicultural curriculum
Read about River Edge, N.J. teacher Carolyn Brush and her
successful multicultural curriculum. This program combines teaching students
about world cultures with the talents of the diverse student population
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/multicultural_curr.php
Creating an atmosphere of acceptance
Discover how you can alleviate many newcomers' fears by creating
an atmosphere of acceptance an welcome in all of your classes.
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/nurturing.php
Culture Lesson Plans for Elementary
School Teachers
Lesson plans that include cultural diversity and learning.
http://www.proteacher.com/090031.shtml
Diversity and Elementary Students
Includes information related to talking openly about race,
critical behaviors and strategies for teaching culturally diverse students,
minorities in science and math, responding to undocumented children in
school, strategies for teaching unschooled migrant youth, the identity
development of multiracial youth, Hispanic preschool education, family
diversity in urban schools, and teaching young children about Native Americans.
http://ericcass.uncg.edu/virtuallib/diversity/elementary.html
Religion Links...
The Being Jewish Website
This site has information regarding all type of Jewish holidays
and practices. This site would be helpful to teachers to see certain
days when students will not be in class. It would be helpful to consider
this when planning special class material or activities that include all
students.
http://www.beingjewish.com
Moravian Church in America
Moravians are found mostly in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
There official web site offers valuable information about their beliefs
and customs. They are very involved in the community. Teachers
may find both parents and students in this organization to be very cooperative.
http://www.moravian.org
The Official Website of Jehovah’s
Witnesses
This is the official home page for the organization.
It has so much valuable information about their beliefs and family life.
There are many things that these students will not be able to do or participate
in while in school. This site will be very helpful to teachers in
communicating with the students and parents.
http://www.watchtower.org
Catholic Church
This site offers valuable information about the Catholic
religion, including special holidays and other activities or rituals that
may affect students in your classroom.
http://www.catholic.net/
New Age Religion
This site links you to a number of religions labeled as “new
age” because of their beliefs and practices.
http://www.aznewage.com/spirituality.htm
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