"Classrooms are sociopolitical spaces that exist in a complex relationship to the world outside."
"The classroom functions as a ind of microcosm of the broader social order."
"Pedagogical choices about curriculum development, content, materials, classroom processes and language use, although appearing to be informed by apolitical professional consideration, are in fact, inherently ideological in nature, with significant implications for learners' socioeconomic roles."
Alastair Pennycook (2000). The Sociopolitics of English Language Teaching
QUESTION: In this video, it discusses 5 points to be a Culturally Responsive Teacher. One of the points discussed is having a multicultural curriculum. I feel that schools in B.C. have come a long way in this, and the new curriculum has also done many things to support this. But, the video describes that a multicultural classroom is not just focusing on key roles or holidays but on topics that students can relate to and apply to their daily life. I find that I often just use holidays or events such a multicultural week to create a multicultural classroom. What are some ways to more authentically create a multicultural classroom to primary aged students?
QUESTION: This video clearly lays out the different levels of a multicultural education. I feel that my school has successfully completed some levels, but still needs to work on aspects of levels 4 and 5. It states that making changes to your school starts with awareness of teachers and the community. At my school, we greatly lack support and involvement from parents. What are successful ways that schools have been able to involve parents, specifically ELL parents?