Date Approved
8-30-2011
Embargo Period
3-3-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.T. Teaching
Department
Teacher Education
College
College of Education
Advisor
Madden, Marjorie
Subject(s)
Multiculturalism; Children's literature
Disciplines
Elementary Education and Teaching
Abstract
The purpose of this research study was to determine what happens when multicultural children's literature is used to supplement the kindergarten curriculum. Over the course of four weeks, students were read eight books about diverse cultures during centers and during circle time. Qualitative inquiry strategies such as parent questionnaires, audio recordings of small group and whole group discussions, student artifacts, and observations recorded in a teacher research journal were all used as a means of collecting data. Upon analyzing the data and searching for main ideas throughout the study, I found that multicultural picture books helped the children become more comfortable with talking about difference in a positive way. Additionally, it helped encourage the students to search for similarities between their own lives and the lives of members of diverse cultures around the world. Lastly, this study supported the idea that read-alouds are an effective way to present multicultural literature to young children in the classroom in an effort to supplement the standard curriculum.
Recommended Citation
Hartmann, Laurel, "Using multicultural literature in the classroom to encourage tolerance and respect" (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 122.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/122
