Observation of Inclusive/Culturally Diverse Classroom
Concept: Teachers must consider that children vary enormously on practically every dimension of development and learning. Understanding students’ diverse needs and strengths is critical in implementing curriculum and adapting for individual and cultural variation. Through this assignment, students observe a class of diverse children. The student also interviews the classroom teacher(s) about how curriculum is adapted for individual and cultural/linguistic variation among children.
Steps: This assignment must be in a inclusive/culturally diverse program.
Observation:
Observe in a classroom where children of diverse cultural groups exist. Your instructor will provide to you a list of partner sites available to complete this observation. If you have a program in mind, please clear this with your teacher to ensure the program is inclusive and culturally diverse.
Utilizing the observation tool, Best Practices in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (BPIECE) for Environment (pages 3-4, indicators1-8)), identify and rate how well each indicator is present in the classroom. Note: under “How I do this/my notes,” please use anecdotal records or jottings to identify how this is done in the classroom you are observing.
Utilizing the observation tool, Best Practices in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (BPIECE) for Instruction (page 9-10, indicators 27-34), identify and rate how well each indicator is implemented in the classroom. Note: under “How I do this/my notes,” please use anecdotal records or jottings to identify how this is done in the classroom you are observing.
Interview:
1.. Interview the teacher about how the curriculum is adapted for individual and cultural variation among children. Does this match with your observational data? Why or why not?
2. Ask the teacher what methods are used to assure sufficient practice opportunities so that children with special needs are not segregated from their peers for separate instruction. Does this match with your observational data? Why or why not?
3. Ask the teacher about the cultural groups and languages represented in the classroom and how the curriculum and teaching strategies are adapted to accommodate cultural and linguistic variation among children. Does this match with your observational data? Why or why not?
Write a 2-5-page paper discussing, analyzing, and evaluating the classrooms Inclusive and Culturally Diverse practices. Evaluate what you learned about curriculum, classroom adaptations, and child resilience being careful to maintain confidentiality and to avoid stereotypes.
Turn in in D2L: Observation completed form signed by the director/classroom teacher.
All observational data (BPIECE tools and handwritten notes supporting your paper)
2–5-page paper