Perspectives on Elementary Education: A Casebook for Critically Analyzing Issues of Diversity

This supplemental text provides a collection of three dozen real-world case studies in diversity that foster discussion-based, active learning pedagogy designed to guide students in problem analysis and problem solving. The cases explore a wide-range of diversity issues at the elementary (Pre-K-5) level, including culture, academic performance and expectations, safety and prosocial behaviors, social issues, special needs, and issues surrounding the family. The approach organizes discussion around defining problems, identifying alternatives, and proposing solutions to the issues presented in the case. The goal of the text is not to pose a single solution, but rather to learn how to analyze situations involving diverse individuals, evaluate a variety of solutions, and evaluate the consequences of those solutions.

Table of Contents:
Each chapter begins with “Introduction to the Chapter.” 1. Using Diverse Cases: A Rationale and Suggested Guidelines. Philosophical Basis. Advantages of Case-Based Instruction. The Structure of this Text. Guidelines for the Use of Cases. Summary. References. 2. Culture. References. 2.1 Language: A Part of Who You Are (Julia Reguero de Atiles). 2.2 Teaching English as a Second Language: A Kindergarten Teacher's Perspective (Jennifer W. Anthony). 2.3 Have Times Really Changed? (Stephanie Bales). 2.4 What One Catholic School Learned from Tom Sawyer's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn! (Rachel Davis-Haley, Louis A. Castenell, Jr.). 2.5 Where Have All the Ipil-Ipil Trees Gone? Science Education Through the Politics of Poverty (Theresa Silva, Sharon E. Nichols, Deborah J. Tippins). 2.6 Domestic Discrimination (Thomas Van Soelen). 2.7 An Elementary Education Experience of Adjustment and Transition (Inore G. Mendoza). 2.8 The Teasing of Than (Thomas Van Soelen, Julie B. Van Soelen). 3. Academic Performance and Expectations. References. 3.1 Hallway Math Again? (Dorothy White). 3.2 When a Gifted Student Underachieves: A Dilemma for Teachers, Parents, and Counselors (Thomas P. Hbert). 3.3 Lifting the Veil on Gender Issues (Denise S. Mewborn, Angel Abney). 3.4 Schooling Gifted Black Children: Issues of Parents and Teachers (Tarek C. Grantham, Linda A. Long). 3.5 To Retain or Not to Retain? (Matthew P. Quirk). 4. Safety and Prosocial Behaviors. 4.1 Teasing the Traumatized Child (Jill Barber, Mary W. Armsworth). 4.2 The Inconvenient Child (David K. Grant). 4.3 Mionda's Undergarments (Victoria Person). 4.4 You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover: Mr. Smith Confronts Drug Use Among His Students (Aaron Childers, Vicki Bunke, Tara Terry-Childers). 4.5 “I am not going to. . .” (Jennifer Hargrove). 4.6 To Tell the Truth (Carson McCutcheon). 4.7 Moving on as Best We Can (Jeannelle Carlisle). 4.8 Sudden Tragedy (Michelle Graham, Sylvia Hutchinson). 5. Social Issues. References. 5.1 A Trip to Reality: An “Everyone Story” (Rebecca Mann). 5.2 Dealing with Dishonesty (Pat Nickell). 5.3 Ostracizing Rich (R. C. Carter). 5.4 Go on into the Hall—You're Excused from the Celebration: Religious Observance in a Public School Classroom (Dee Russell, Paige Campbell). 5.5 The Difficult Parent (Stacy Schwartz). 5.6 Student Stress: It's 10:00 pm, Do You Know Where Your Kids Are? (P. Elizabeth Pate). 6. Special Needs. 6.1 Fighting for Robert (Barbara Bradley). 6.2 “Dr. Kent! Justin is being mean. . .” (Linda Lord, Patricia M. Hentenaar). 6.3 A Year Full of Challenges: Teaching a Student Who Is Deaf in a Regular Classroom (Susan B. Cardin). 6.4 Chronic Illness and the Art of Juggling Medications, Instructional Activities, and Transportation (Yvette Q. Getch). 7. The Family. 7.1 Another New Student? Susan Jordan Looks for Help with Her High Numbers of Mobile Students (Martha Allexsaht-Snider, Nakheung Kim). 7.2 William, the Conqueror (JoAnn Marshall, Mark Barker, Kathryn Barker). 7.3 Jonathan's Story (Lola Finn). 7.4 My Brother Says You're a Fag (Paige E. Campbell, Dee Russell). 7.5 Many Faces of Homelessness (Claire E. Hamilton, Xernona J. Thomas). Author Index. Subject Index.