Collegiate Clubs Network
Diversity,Equityand InclusioninChildren’s Books:Multiculturalvs. InclusiveTexts
AlphaDeltaKappa CollegiateClubs&Alumni
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Diversity in and out of the classroom will continue to grow, so it’s important to prepare our students to adapt to an evolving world and embrace those who are differentfromthemselves
Culturally responsive teaching means using students’ actual customs, characteristics, experiences and perspectives to build better classroom instruction Diverse children’s books can provide the building blocks for meaningful instructionandunderstanding.
Publishers and curriculum designers actively include multicultural texts to represent voices that have been missing from mainstream children’s literature in the past. While this is a step in the rightdirection,it’simportanttomove beyond these surface-level explorations of cultural differences that often center on the majority population and further marginalize peopleandcommunitiesofcolor
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DIVERSITY,EQUITYANDINCLUSIONINCHILDREN’S BOOKS:MULTICULTURALVS.INCLUSIVETEXTS
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Culturally relevant literature and diverse texts elevate texts by and about individuals who have previously been omitted or silenced in literary collections. Going a step further, inclusive texts are relevant and diverse in their authentic portrayals of backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives and provide access to texts and materials that reflect the complexities of children’s lives and experiences. “Children’s books serve as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, allowing readers to recognize themselves and better understand others, but books can also misrepresent communitiesandreinforcestereotypes”(GultekinandMay2020).
Gultekin and May explored 36 picture books listed as winners of the Middle East Outreach Council’s Middle East Award (MEOC-MEBA) to discover overall characteristics in the books like theme and genre regarding Middle Eastern Muslims and how they are represented using words and images. In addition to characters and themes portrayed in the books, Gultekin and May examinedtheexperiencesoftheauthorsandillustratorsandtheleveloftheir insider perspectives shown in the books. Seventy-five percent of the authors examined were not born in the Middle East nor indicated any Middle Eastern heritage.
Seven themes were identified. Three deeply personal themes were identified for the books written by insider book creators: about Islam, bridging time and space (present day connecting with the family’s country of origin) and folktales from the Middle East. Four themes were identified for the books written by outsider book creators: ancient practices continuing still today, important historical figures, shared stories such as fables and folktales and war-stricken countries and dangerous journeys. Although meant to provide mirrors, many of the award-winning, well-meaning books by outsiders actually presented distortions and misrepresentations, reinforced stereotypesandgeneralizedcomplex,diverseexperiences.
While this study focused only on Middle Eastern Muslim-oriented children’s books, it amplifies the need for inclusive texts that are not be watered down and accurately represent the diverse sets of experiences and histories of the racial or ethnic groups represented in the texts. That happens best when the author of the text is of the same racial or ethnic background as the group beingrepresented
Teachers, librarians and parent are authentic, meaningful and inc award-winning books Authentic component in lessons to enrich thinkingandprovideallchildrenwit
Works Cited
Gultekin, M., & May, L. (2020). Children’s Literature as Fun-House Mirrors, Blind Spots, and Curtains. The Reading Teacher, 73(5), 627–635. Retrieved July 9, 2024. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27003595
Hey everyone! If you’re looking to boost your Alpha Delta Kappa (AΔK) collegiate club's recruitment efforts, I’ve got some fantastic tips that can really make a difference. Whether you’re new exec members or just eager to bring fresh ideas to the table, these strategies are perfect for attracting and retaining enthusiastic members.
Campus organization fairs are our golden opportunity to showcase what ADK is all about:
- Have a Pitch Ready: Prepare a quick, engaging spiel about AΔK. Let’s keep it lively and informative so students can quickly grasp what makes our club unique.
- Hand Out Free Stuff: Everyone loves freebies! Let’s bring stickers, buttons, and other cool merch to catch students’ eyes and get them excited about joining.
We can use our classroom time to our advantage:
- Casual Conversations: Mention AΔKCC in conversations with classmates. Share our enthusiasm and invite them to check out what our club has to offer.
- Class Announcements: If our professors are cool with it, we could ask to make a brief announcement about upcoming events or meetings.
College students are all about having a good time, so let’s make our recruitment events enjoyable:
- Food is Key: Organize events with free food—think “Crafts and Cookies” nights or pizza parties. Good food attracts people, and a relaxed setting helps them connect with our organization..
-Interactive Activities: Plan fun activities and professional development opportunities that not only entertain but also give potential members a taste of what AΔK is all about.
Merchandise not only promotes your club but also serves as a conversation starter:
- Design Club Merch: Create some awesome AΔK merch like t-shirts, hats, or tote bags. We want them to look great and be something people would actually want to wear or use.
- Sell Merch: Selling merchandise is a great way to spread the word and create buzz. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to earn money for events and altruism. We can sell the merch to both CC members and chapter members.
Social media is a powerful tool for getting our message out:
- Regular Posts: Keep our social media channels updated with posts about events, member spotlights, and any cool happenings in our club.
- Pre and Post Event Content: Build excitement before events with countdowns or teaser posts, and follow up afterward with photos and highlights to keep the engagement going.
By incorporating these tips, we’ll not only attract new members but also create a buzz around our AΔK collegiate club. Remember, it’s all about making connections and showcasing what makes our club an amazing place to be. Happy recruiting!
DuringthelisteningtoursofAΔKCCmembersand alum,overwhelminglyYOUALLASKEDFORIT!You askedforFREECLASSROOMRESOURCES forall areas. Well,guesswhat?Ourcurrentmembersare heretohelp! WearelaunchingTODAYthis resourcelibraryofideas,lessons,units,andmuch moreforyouruse. FREE! Thisonlinecommunityis accessibletoyouasacurrentoralummember ThiscommunityispartofourCONNECT Communitiesforourmemberslikeyou. Havea greatresourceyourself,addyoursinthelibrarytoo! Justlogintoyourprofileandthenfollowthislink: https://connectalphadeltakappaorg/home
Lostyourcredentials,email headquarters@alphadeltakappa.org
University Collegiate Club featured their officers on social media. Although this isn’t all of their officers, we thank you all for your leadership and commitment to your club! #adkfutureeducators
