What Do Children Actually Learn About Diverse Families? Understanding How Family Composition Is Taught

• In Event: Social Studies Issues in Elementary and Early Childhood

Abstract

Teachers must understand different types of marginalization in order to create equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students. In this study, I investigated how marginalized family compositions are taught in first grade social studies. I analyzed five different first grade curriculum guides and interviewed four first grade teachers in the state of Michigan in order to understand how family compositions are currently being taught. The findings indicated a lack of diverse family compositions and experiences represented in curriculum materials and that traditional ways of teaching the family unit still dominate in classrooms. Findings also demonstrated that teachers viewed family composition and marginalization primarily through the lens of race and ethnicity, and that other types of marginalization were not addressed.

Author

• Melanie Marie McCormick, Michigan State University