I have just received word that I will be getting a new student in my class next week from Italy! Since I am enrolled in a course that is educating me on diversity, I have come up with the following five ways that I can prepare myself to be culturally responsive towards this family.
1. I will teach my class some words in Italian: Hello, My name is, and Thank you. This will make the student feel welcomed as well as be proud of her social identity as an Italian.
2. I will draw names for five buddies for my new student before she arrives. Each day, this new student will have someone to walk with her throughout the day as well as eat lunch together. This will make sure that this new student does not feel alone, and he or she can make new friends at the same time.
3. I will implement a Family project that each student will do that includes their family history as well as the opportunity to share any family photos. This will give my new student a chance to teach us about her culture as well as have my other students realize that each of our families emigrated to the United States at one time in history.
4. I will arrange a meeting with this new family during the first week. During this time, I will let the parents know a little more about how my classroom runs as well as let them tell me anything they would like about their family or child. I want to begin this family partnership that is pertinent in education today.
5. I will conduct my own research on the country of Italy. I will try to learn the customs and traditions. This will help me make small talk with the child’s family which will also help the parents adjust and feel welcomed. A little knowledge really goes a long way!
I can only hope that this preparation will really help my new student, her family, and I adjust! I can relate to what it feels like going to a country where everything is foreign to you, but I can recall some people going out of their way for me to make me feel at home. I hope to be able to do this for this family.
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteIt appears that you have a collection of very positive ways to welcome your Italian family.
Great Post!
Hi Stacey,
ReplyDeleteAs we completed this assignment, it made me think about how, especially now, we always have that possibility of actually having to welcome a new family from a new country into our classroom. I like the ideas you expressed and know your family would feel right at home in your class.