ASIAN AMERICANS Cultural and ethnic identity of Asian students may clash with the American school system due to their beliefs that it is important to work together as a group and maintain an allegiance to their family. The American school system tends to give emphasis to individualism and a healthy competition between students. An Asian student will no doubt see that their ability to do well in school as a duty that they have to help maintain the family structure and failure to do well in school can result in stricter parenting styles at home. Asian children are taught from a very early age to respect those in authority, have a sense of responsibility toward their family members, and to maintain self-control. Stereotypes toward Asian American
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Learn how socioeconomic background affects the family’s beliefs and traditions (Manning & Baruth, 2009).
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS The learning styles of African American children have a tendency to be what is called field dependent. This means that they are spontaneous, flexible, and are more teacher and people oriented. In contrast a field independent learner will be more used to working alone, be competitive, are task oriented, and tend to think more analytically (Hale, 1986). The African American culture has blended with the Anglo American culture as a result of some pressure to conform to mainstream society and being looked at as less worthy than their Caucasian counterparts. Due to the many social issues they have grown up with we can see how society has contributed to the different attitudes, behaviors, and psychological personalities of an African American citizen (Hale, …show more content…
A Caucasian teacher with White American values and instructional approaches will have a hard time reaching a child who may prefer not to read out loud in front of others, or may be more comfortable with a lifestyle where there is one person who decides and manages the activities (Hoffman, 2012).
Some strategies that can be used to develop a comfortable and successful American Indian learner are;
1. Allow freedom of movement within the classroom setting. Let the students arrange the desks the way they want them or allow them to sit on the floor.
2. Do not overemphasize an individual student’s achievement.
3. Do not demand or force competition between students. The emphasis should be on group interactions and activities and Native American children do not like to show themselves in a superior position or put someone else in a poor light.
4. Try to avoid activities that would require a student get up in front of the class to speak or read aloud.
5. Give the child the time needed to become comfortable in approaching the teacher or other staff.
6. Learn about the Native American groups in your area and what their beliefs and values are. Remember that something that may be trivial to you may hold a deep spiritual significance for the student (Sorkness & Kelting-Gibson,
Learn how socioeconomic background affects the family’s beliefs and traditions (Manning & Baruth, 2009).
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS The learning styles of African American children have a tendency to be what is called field dependent. This means that they are spontaneous, flexible, and are more teacher and people oriented. In contrast a field independent learner will be more used to working alone, be competitive, are task oriented, and tend to think more analytically (Hale, 1986). The African American culture has blended with the Anglo American culture as a result of some pressure to conform to mainstream society and being looked at as less worthy than their Caucasian counterparts. Due to the many social issues they have grown up with we can see how society has contributed to the different attitudes, behaviors, and psychological personalities of an African American citizen (Hale, …show more content…
A Caucasian teacher with White American values and instructional approaches will have a hard time reaching a child who may prefer not to read out loud in front of others, or may be more comfortable with a lifestyle where there is one person who decides and manages the activities (Hoffman, 2012).
Some strategies that can be used to develop a comfortable and successful American Indian learner are;
1. Allow freedom of movement within the classroom setting. Let the students arrange the desks the way they want them or allow them to sit on the floor.
2. Do not overemphasize an individual student’s achievement.
3. Do not demand or force competition between students. The emphasis should be on group interactions and activities and Native American children do not like to show themselves in a superior position or put someone else in a poor light.
4. Try to avoid activities that would require a student get up in front of the class to speak or read aloud.
5. Give the child the time needed to become comfortable in approaching the teacher or other staff.
6. Learn about the Native American groups in your area and what their beliefs and values are. Remember that something that may be trivial to you may hold a deep spiritual significance for the student (Sorkness & Kelting-Gibson,