We went through various activities during the class. I really liked to get these practical examples, and to get some inspiration we could do when teaching.
First we had a task of answering questions by stepping forward or backward. It was a very easy way of showing differences, and kids (as well as us students) like that kind of action!
Beforehand, I hadn't thought how to get a new student in the class in the middle of the year. When watching the video "New Boy" many thoughts came into my mind. Introducing the new person well is important both for the new-comer, as well as for the whole class. The new pupil should feel he is welcomed, asking questions only makes him feel good; "The others are interested of who I am!"
I have experienced getting into a new class in the begging of school year as the only new-comer for two times. I can tell it is hard enough! In the begging of 8th grade, in the first morning, I decided I pull all my courage together and go talk to the other pupils. The means were good, but I had to realize all my courage was left home! I was lucky to get into a welcoming class with cheary atmosphere. Two girls came to me and made sure I felt comfortable for the first couple of weeks. We never became good friends, but I am very thankful of what they did for me!
The film from a multilingual school in Scotland showed how the mothertongue can be used in school as a resource, and how it allows the pride of being multilingual and multicultural bloom. We got a hint of that pride with the last task. We needed to make a story of a set of pictures, first in a group in English, and then tell the same story in our native languages. People were relaxed and happy to be able to talk with own languages. It was also fun!
A poster for children:
- erilaisuus on rikkaus - diversity is invaluable
- a drawing of different shoes in a row on the hallway by a classroom
-winterboots, slippers, tennis shoes, walking shoes...
And at last, my thoughts of the main question "How to transform cultural diversity into valuable resources at home?"
Home is always a mixture of two backgrounds, of two different families. Sometimes the differences are small, sometimes huge. Traditions, regular behavior and manners are not easilly changed and put together as one compromise, and I think should not be either! I would rather see that differences are discussed, and valued, not just explained "That is what we have always done!"
What I have observed, is that differences in families within same nation are quite great. Some contradictions are easier to come a cross in hybrid families, because the differences can (many times mistakenly) be explained with cultural differences. I see this as an advantage in a multicultural family!
In every family the parents should tell their children of their own childhood, and their backgrounds. In that way parents can give their children the feeling of being proud with all the special knowledge about themselves. I believe in every family can be found many unique things to cherrish!
