ERIC Number: EJ1239626
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1068-3844
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Building a Classroom Library Based on Multicultural Principles: A Checklist for Future K-6 Teachers
Howlett, Kristina M.; Young, Heather D.
Multicultural Education, v26 n3-4 p40-46 Spr-Sum 2019
Building a classroom library while infusing multicultural (MC) content and multiple perspectives into the learning environment is an important job for teachers. Students need to have direct access to meaningful and relevant texts, and the classroom library is the optimal location. Teacher educators should strive to assist teacher candidates in building anti-bias libraries in early childhood and elementary programs with a wide variety of literature. Undoubtedly, teacher candidates wonder where and how to begin the process of selecting the best texts for their future libraries. How is it possible to know which books are the highest quality children's literature that represent a diverse reading list and demonstrate universal human experiences across a variety of cultures? In this article, the authors recommend that by using the six MC principles (Bennett, 2014) as a foundation and employing an evaluation checklist (see Appendix B) designed to elucidate literary criticism and absence of bias, teacher candidates will be able to develop and expand classroom libraries in the most culturally responsive manner. The purpose of this article is to underscore critical attention on educating the nation's teachers by developing a critical eye for high-quality MC literature that is available for the classroom as well as an ongoing commitment to seeking out the most effective array of literature for the children in their classrooms.
Descriptors: Instructional Materials, Library Materials, Multicultural Education, Childrens Literature, Student Diversity, Educational Principles, Critical Theory, Reading Material Selection, Cultural Awareness, Social Justice, Social Bias, Consciousness Raising, Elementary School Teachers, Classroom Environment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A