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ROOTS & WINGS
Cultural strengths African-American children bring to the classroom.
There are only two lasting bequests that we can leave our children: One is roots, the other, wings - Unknown
BACK TO SCHOOL. For some children, returning to school means starting a new year of learning, growth and discovery. For other children it means another year of discouragement, boredom and confinement.
For those who guide and care for African--American children, we want to make sure they have the best education. We want to give them both roots and wings. We want to see African-American children grounded in their culture and to learn about other cultures. We want them to be able to soar as high as their dreams can take them.
In every environment, there are subtle cultural cues that influence how people behave or how people interpret others' actions. Young people take their home culture to school in unconscious small ways that may affect learning. There are several things that educators and parents can do to help students enjoy and adjust to the school environment as well as honor the cultural frame of reference they bring into the classroom:
Call & Response
One feature of African-American culture is "call and response." When there is a speaker, the audience often interacts verbally with him or her. At church, the minister may launch into his sermon and midway through it, state, "I wish I had more time to tell you about the goodness of the Lord." And a member of the congregation might call back to him, saying, "Take your time, Reverend." The minister takes that response not as an interruption but as a compliment and an indication that his message is being well-received.
When Patsy, a young African American, comes to class she may bring that call and response orientation along with her. Only in school, calling out while the teacher is talking is not likely to elicit "Amen, Sister," but rather a "Stand in the corner." Parents and teachers who understand this difference in culture can explain to Patsy that in the school milieu, listening quietly to the speaker is the response that best shows respect and attention. And Patsy's teacher can correct her in a way that acknowledges the difference without defining it as bad.
If you are challenged to help young people of all cultures to be successful, you may want to order this article. Teachers will get ideas about how to to be culturally responsive to African American students. Parents will get tips to help teachers understand their particular child better. ORDER NOW and use this tool to foster mutual respect and cooperation between home and school.
DON'T WAIT - ORDER NOW!
Price: $2.00+$.50 S/H per copy
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