Multicultural Literature Circles: Promoting Teacher Candidates' Cultural Awareness and Understanding

• In Event: 30.080 - Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 30.080-10 - Promoting Teacher Candidates' Cultural Awareness and Understanding of Diversity

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe findings from a research study which multicultural literature were used with pre-service teachers to promote cultural awareness and foster agency when working with diverse students. We will explore how books should mirror the lives of elementary students and serve as windows to the lives of others.This qualitative study is guided by the following questions: In what ways do discussions around multicultural texts promote cultural awareness of pre-service teachers? How do pre-service teachers’ perceptions about the role of culture shift after participating in multicultural literature discussions?

Authors

• Natasha A Thornton, Kennesaw State University

• Sanjuana Carrillo Rodriguez, Kennesaw State University

• Eliza G. Braden, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Kamania Wynter-Hoyte, University of South Carolina