Multicultural stories are able to enhance the classroom when teaching children the importance of accepting others for

their differences. Through this acceptance, students will be more open to one another and will be able to look past the stereotypes that often occur in the classroom. I plan to read books such as these ones to give my class a better understanding of diverse differences, and see the positive viewpoint about it that I do. Reading stories such as these ones to my class will be important to me because they will notice that not only can they learn things from me, but also from their classmates.

http://www.betterworldbooks.com/being-friends-id-0803725299.aspx

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

Author: Carol McCloud

Illustrator: David Messing Date: November 12th, 2012 Grade Range: Primary to intermediate Category: Positive portrayal Summary Information: The whole story is based on people carrying around an invisible bucket. This invisible bucket represents holding good thoughts and feelings. When the bucket is empty, one can feel sad and lonely. However when the bucket is full, one can feel happy and satisfied. In order to fill the bucket, one must be kind to others and even something as simple as a smile goes a long way. The author describes something called a bucket filler. A bucket filler is a kind or caring person that does nice things for others. On the other side, there is are children who are referred to as bucket dippers, these are the ones who dip into the bucket and take out good feelings if one bullies someone for being different or does mean things to hurt other feelings. This story definitely reflects real life situations among children and encourages them to be nice to one another regardless of physical differences. The pictures in the book reflect the diversity that this story promotes. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? portrays positivity among not just the school community but also home. The message is clear for children to understand the impact that being negative towards others can have and how quickly happiness can spread just from simply being kind to one another. Learning Activity: I would definitely have cut out paper buckets that I would hang around the classroom and have my students write something kind that theyve done that week. I think this would be a great visual way to encourage my class to be positive towards one another.

http://myfunteacher.com/bucketfillers.htm

Lucys Family Tree

Author: Karen Halvorsen Schreck

Illustrators: Stephen, III Gassler Date: November 13th, 2012 Grade range: Primary to intermediate Category: Positive portrayal of family diversity Summary information: The main character of this story is Lucy who was adopted from Mexico. When assigned to share her background to her class for a family tree, Lucy thinks she is the only one who comes from another foreign country and wants to avoid doing the project all together. It isnt until her parents encourage her to find out more about her classmates backgrounds before they let her be excused from the assignment. Through this, Lucy realized that everyone else is different in their own way- whether its their religion, home stability, or race so she doesnt have to be ashamed. This story is a great example of how children often close themselves because they feel like their differences separate them from everyone else, when in reality everyones differences are what make them up as a person. The author did a great job of sending a message to all children that while some differences may be noticeable on the outside, there is still a lot to learn about one another so one cannot just assume that they are the only ones who have dissimilarities. This story really helps reflect family and background diversity in a positive light. Learning Activity: I would like to have my own class do a family tree for my students to get to know more about each other and realize that everyone is unique in their own ways

Being Friends
Author: Karen Beaumont

Illustrator: Joy Allen Date: November 13th, 2012 Grade range: Primary Category: Diverse friendship Summary information: Being Friends is about two young girls, one African American and one White who dont share a lot or any of the same interests. The author describes differences between the two being things such as one girl who loves sports and likes being comfortable in her jeans while the other girl likes to be dressed up and likes the glamour. They both are able to look past their differences and be best friends because they are able to learn so much from each other. This story really shows great examples of two children having different interests, yet being able to look past that to enjoy each others company. It sends a simple message to all children- friends dont always have to look or be the same. The author does an exceptional job of bringing in race, interests, and differences all in one story. Agreeing with one another isnt the key to having a great friendship, but the coming to a happy middle ground is. These young girls didnt let their differences stand in the way of having fun together. Learning Activity: I think it would be a cool idea to set up a different categories of things that students could possibly like to do, such as Play sports, Playing with toys, Watching TV, etc. Under these categories students would have the option of putting their names. This will show the difference and similiarities in interests that my class has and that more than likely people who dont like all of the same things are friends.

The Not-So-Only Child Author: Heather Jopling

Illustrator: Lauren Page Russel Date: November 13th, 2012 Grade range: Primary to Intermediate Category: Diversity in family Summary information: The main character is named Larissa who initially introduces herself as an only child. However, throughout the story she begins to introduce the rest of her family who consist of family friends that she calles aunts and then goes on to introduce a half brother and sister who are parented by two fathers, and other family friends who she says is just like family. Larissa talks about her very extended and diverse family in such a normal and accepting way and ends up taking back what she said about being an only child because she realizes how they are just as much a part of her family as she is. This story covers topics of accepting family members for who they are and their sexual orientation, but does it in the most subtle and accepting way. Trying to read this story from a childs perspective would be interesting, because I dont think with the voice of the main character I would have found details even the slightest strange. The author covers diversity in a way that many childrens books are not doing quite yet. This book sends a message that even though people dont always fit into the mold of the perfect family, they are still able to be a part of it- whether or not they may even be blood related. Learning activity: I think it would be interesting to get the students to talk about their families and if they do happen to be only children, ask if they consider anyone else to be their brothers or sisters? I could tie this activity in with the family tree that I talked about earlier.

http://justonemorebook.com/2007/01/24/pintsized-people-watching-the-not-so-only-child/

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CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION (EDU230)

Statement of Academic Honesty and Ethical Behavior

As a follow-up to policies concerning plagiarism, academic honesty and integrity, ethical behavior, dispositions of future teachers, and misrepresentation of work outlined in the Syllabus and Guidelines for Success for this course, the following document is required prior to final portfolio grading and assessment of the final grade for this course. Please read it carefully, sign it, and submit it in class.

I. I understand that policies and consequences for misrepresentation of my work or lapses in ethical behavior related to my work apply through the final grading of my portfolio and in the determination of my final grade. Such misrepresentation includes but is not limited to the following: ! Any misrepresentation of information of document related to my service learning placement ! Plagiarizing (copying or paraphrasing) work from another source, including online and print sources ! Failure to correctly utilize APA citation and documentation when needed for researched/found information (only as directed by assignment instructions) ! Use of images that are not copyright free ! Failure to correctly cite sources of copyright free images ! Using any part of an online or print book sales or book review sources as a substitute for writing plot summaries or other information in your own words as a result of reading literary selections:
o o o Book sales websites include sources such as Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc. Book reviews sites refers to any website on which childrens literature information if contained Book review information includes book jackets, leaf pages, introductions or prefaces

II. I understand that my work may be spot checked randomly at anytime for violations to the above policies and others pertaining to acts of plagiarism, academic dishonesty, or are breaches of ethics in academic work. III. I further understand that any violations of the aforementioned policies will result in consequences as recorded in the Syllabus and Guidelines for Success for the course, and in conjunction with MCCCD and CGCC policy statements. Such consequences may include but are not limited to: a reduction in points or a grade of 0 on a single assignment, point deduction or grade of 0 on a portfolio grade, and/or negative impact on final course grade for the semester.
Signature_________________________________________ Printed Name _____________________________________ Date ________________________ _______________ Section/Course
SFagan/Fall2012

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GRADING RUBRIC: Teacher Resource Document (100 pts.) _____Follows all content specifications
in these directions ____ minimum 4 books ____ selection specifications (copyright date, etc.) ____ realistic (except for cultural myths legends) ____ variety of grade ranges, categories ____ clear, complete yet concise plot summary ____ explanation of category of diversity ____ brief description of a learning activity ____ well crafted, fluent, and interesting (S-E-X-I) information/commentary