Educational institutions need to recognize and accommodate the individual needs of learners from culturally diverse backgrounds, of whom a large number are Blacks and Hispanics. To accommodate the educational needs of these learners, educators need to build on their entry-level strengths, which have been identified as: (1) orientation toward…

Asserts that central goal of sociology is to provide students with sociological perspective or the ability to reflect on their own society from a distance. Argues that ethnocentricism can be affected by an "insider's bias" and an "outsider's bias." Describes the use of Horace Miner's "Body Ritual of the Nacirema" as a…

This article examines sociocultural factors that should be considered in the overall assessment and education of students with learning disabilities who come from culturally diverse backgrounds, and the implications of these factors specific to development and usage of learning strategies and study skills in the classroom. (JDD)

Maintains that preschool teachers can encourage meaningful dialogue and enhance learning among young children by asking appropriate questions, using fewer "known-answer" and testing questions, being sensitive to cultural differences, and creating an environment in which the educational goal is conversational equality between teachers and…

People of different cultures differ in the cognitive style they use. Research reports that Mexican American children indicate a preference for field-sensitive cognitive strategies that are spatial-holistic, and middle class children a preference for field-independent strategies that are verbal-analytic. Brain research in hemisphericity appears to…

This study addressed two specific questions regarding Korean students at American colleges and universities. One is a question of accommodation, and the other is a question of orientation: to what extent do we need to change our classroom format and teaching methodology (and types of assignments) to accommodate students from different cultures and…

Describes use of Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe's novel, "Things Fall Apart," in an introductory geography course at the secondary school or college level. Provides a summary of the book's story, which deals with the impact of colonialism and Christianity on the culture of eastern Nigeria. Includes recommended instructional strategies…

Written for grades K-5 from a multicultural perspective, the curriculum guide has a dual focus: intracultural and intercultural. Rationales for this focus include raising the sensitivity of students toward their own cultural groups and examining the commonalities across cultures for an awareness of what binds people together. Implementation of a…

This teacher training guide provides information about Navajo cultural beliefs that conflict with learning in the dominant society's educational system. The guide offers rationales for the taboos and recommendations for providing appropriate learning situations, materials, and multicultural learning styles. Section 1 contains information on Navajo…

Presents Gold Rush Day, an annual eight-week project emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach for fourth graders. Describes the preparation and implementation of the project. Includes a description of interdisciplinary learning achievements. (CFR)

This guide to improving student persistence is the first part of a four-part series addressing the essential characteristics of effective instruction that have a positive impact on the academic achievement of Black and Hispanic students. Persistence is learned behavior, and lower-class students are more likely than middle-class students to observe…

This paper offers suggestions for teaching high school and college students about cultural diversity and for providing them with multicultural educational experiences. After presenting a background and rationale for such teaching, the paper gives a list of classroom activities, including student reactions to statements regarding racism and…

This special journal section contains five major articles concerned with the education of children with disabilities, especially with emotional or behavioral disorders. The lead article by Ramon M. Rocha and Susan McCue, discusses the education of emotionally disturbed (ED) students in New York State as directed by the Commissioner of Education's…

Maintains that the United Nations Charter, which calls for "respect for human rights...without distinction to race, sex or religion" is commonly violated, particularly with respect to girls. Presents a lesson portraying dilemmas faced by four girls in different parts of the world as they confront problems. (CFR)

Contends that properly selected children's literature can help foster cultural awareness and self-concept. Suggests that using fiction about the experiences of Asian and Asian-American children can help students with issues of acculturation. Recommends six novels and other resources for implementing this strategy. (CFR)