Promoting Diversity in High School
High School is extremely diverse and encompassing different intelligences, especially from the cultural backgrounds of students, is essential. Making cultural knowledge relevant to course content is extremely beneficial to all students. Diversity activities can be broadened, as students' abstract thinking skills and life experiences have increased to the point where they can tackle complex issues pertaining to diversity.
- One place to start is to have students take Harvard University's Implicit Associations Test. This virtual scientific study tests students on the unconscious thought processes that lead them to make assumptions about different types of people. Taking this test will open up a student's awareness of their own stereotypes and prejudices. In addition, it will foster discussion for further diversity activities, such as sharing stories about personal experiences with discrimination through small groups or class blogs.
- Get to know students. Assign an autobiography task tat is relevant to the course content. Allow students to give a brief presentation about their culture and race, and allow students to ask appropriate questions.
- Group students into cooperative groups for in-class and out-of-class projects. Group the students heterogeneously to allow for interaction of all students.
- Remind students of strengths that individuals who are different from them may bring to the project. Be prepared to intervene if problems arise. Create class time to address issues, if necessary.
- Encourage students to discuss negative and positive things affecting their culture, religion, gender, race, and other characteristics. If the issues are negative, have them explain how these issues are impacting their lives, as well as how they plan to alter the issue.
Thanks to eHow for these tips: (http://www.ehow.com/info_7990099_diversity-activities-classroom.html) and (http://www.ehow.com/how_7778224_promote-diversity-classroom.html)