Multicultural Literature and Curriculum in Primary Grades
One book that can be useful in teaching multicultural education to primary grade children is ‘How to Define Cultural Diversity’ by Cheikh Diop. I choose this book because it is nonfiction and most of the terms are clearly defined for easy understanding. For instance, Diop begins by defining multiculturalism and cultural identity. One learning objective in the book that is appropriate for primary grade children is based on how it emphasizes the assertion that an individual’s personality is mainly composed of their linguistic, psychological, and historical forms, which every child can relate to (Diop, 1991). Diop also outlines that the challenges and failures in multicultural relations can be dealt with and provides various approaches to addressing such issues as well as how to evaluate progress.
One follow-up activity that I would give to the children involves asking them to identify a person from a different community in the school and write about their behaviours. They should note whether their behaviours or interactions have improved or deteriorated over time. Lastly, to achieve the set learning objectives, I would change the class sitting arrangement so that people mingle instead of sitting next to those from their community.
Poor Nutrition
How do chronic diseases result from poor nutrition?
Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that there is a link between poor nutrition which leads to poor growth and weight and predisposes people to lifestyle conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, poor nutrition leads to impaired glucose tolerance that exposes the affected individuals to diabetes as well as other health complications (Snoeck, 2013). My practical experience with poor nutrition entails seeing children from war zone areas suffering from nutrition-related conditions. Nevertheless, I am yet to see the future effects that such conditions will have on them. I am still observing keenly.
References
Diop, C. (1991). How to Define Cultural Diversity. In Civilization or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology. Brooklyn, NY: Lawrence Hill.
Snoeck, A. (2013). Long-term consequences of diabetes and its complications may have a fetal origin: experimental and epidemiological evidence. New York: Pearson.
