The purpose of this assignment is to know and apply understanding of theories related to the effect of culture in language learning and school achievement for ELLs from diverse backgrounds, and to identify and explore a book for children that addresses a topic of cultural diversity. Diversity can relate to religion, race, language, sexual orientation, gender, age, geographic region, physical and mental ability, as well as other areas.
Organize and include the following information:
Select a fiction or nonfiction book, on any aspect of cultural diversity.
Include one or more pictures or photos that depict the book.
Include the title, author, and year that book was written in APA format.
Give a brief synopsis of the book. Tell the main points and major diversity issues of the book in your own words.
Explain why and how this book develops cultural awareness or explains cultural diversity and/or related issues. Explain how you would develop the topic with students. Give some background on the characters portrayed. Give concrete examples from the book to support the points you are trying to make. Answer the following questions in this part of the assignment:
What types of struggles do the characters face related to cultural differences with others in the mainstream or dominant culture, stereotypes, discrimination, and/or status?
What struggles do the characters have related to language (acquisition, use, and miscommunication)?
How did the characters contribute to the setting in which they lived?
What parts did you most strongly empathize with, or conversely, what parts did you react against?
Web Link: Provide a URL and a brief description of a website for children that would be appropriate to use with the book. Describe how you could incorporate the website when teaching with the book. The website does not have to be specifically about the book but can be one that is related to the specific cultural diversity issues.
