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1. What does research say about the topic? GJ: Teachers must adjust the way they teach in order to reach students of diverse backgrounds. Students need to know how education can benefit them, they need to be taught strategies, and several strategies should be taught to ELL students. JZ:We must put new systems in place because the old ones are not working. Suggestions are: motivate, help struggling readers, work effectively with ELL, teach in a culturally responsive way, assess students' progress. JD: ELL students are diverse and therefore our teaching strategies are to be diverse. Understanding cultural differences will aid in the understanding the needs of the children.

2.Evaluate your approach to multicultural instruction using the terms in the vocabulary. What approach do you use? What approach should you use and what are a couple of ways to get to the decision-making or transformational levels. JZ:I would say that I strive to include multi-cultural learning but I have a long way to go. So I would say CONTRIBUTIONS APPROACH TO MULTICULTURAL UNDERSTANDING describes me.I am trying for the ADDITIVE APPROACH. Probably more time spent planning, using great literature and extending themes across the curriculum including people and holidays would lead me more in the directiopn of TRANSFORMATIONAL APPROACH. GJ: I encounter several students of diverse background, and although I don’t think I use culturally responsive instruction like I should, I do strive to have a culturally relevant pedagogy. I use the contribution approach, just touching on cultural celebrations and holidays. One way to get to the transformational approach would be to read and study more in depth on social issues and/or events that pertain to specific cultures, and to include these in lessons. JD: I’ve not taught any ELL students, however I feel studying on their cultural would help me understand how they think about things that are not in my paradigm.

Your questions GJ: How do you get kids and parents to realize that education can open doors of opportunity, without putting down how they live? JZ: What suggestions do you have for a 1st grade teacher pertaining to TRANSFORMATIONAL APPROACH? JD: Have you had many ELL in your teaching career?