For the next hour, my Tweets will be dedicated to #BetterTogetherCA. We’re talking about Creating a FAIR Classroom: Ideas & Resources for Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environments!
equitable and inclusive learning communities are intentional about knowing students, valuing individuality, appreciating similarity and differences #BetterTogetherCA
#BetterTogetherCA - Creating a FAIR Classroom: Ideas and Resources For Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environments!
- chat going on now (Mon. 7-8 pm)
Honestly I only know about this from following the news. I assume people at district level are complying but haven’t heard about it at department level #BetterTogetherCA
But we don’t do “textbook adoptions” for our HS English classes - we use novels, plays, poetry, variety of non-fiction texts, other media
#BetterTogetherCA
A2: As a starting point, look at who your students are and then seek out texts that are representative of your class population. Look at their families and their neighborhoods. Represent them too. Then look at who they are not, and represent that group too. #BetterTogetherCA
Hi #EdcampSV -campers and followers! Join in the #BetterTogetherCA chat right now (Mon. 7-8 pm) and learn about equitable inclusive teaching and resources like this
@Tolerance_org continues to provide exceptional materials to support anti-bias teaching. Always my "go-to" for resources and inspiration! #BetterTogetherCA
Yes! The CA K-12 History-Social Science Framework in Grade 2 emphasizes teaching how all kinds of families make up communities. Single parents, two parents, multigenerational, LGBTQ, immigrant, foster, adoption, and many more. #BetterTogetherCA
I make sure that my students with special needs take part and is visible in all school assemblies!Be it science camp or spelling bee!Meaningful inclusion is FAIR education.#BetterTogetherCA
Q3: How can teaching LGBT and disability history help support underrepresented racial, ethnic, and cultural groups on our school campuses? #BetterTogetherCA
Q3: How can teaching LGBT and disability history help support underrepresented racial, ethnic, and cultural groups on our school campuses? #BetterTogetherCA
I’d expect there’s some good resources available from @facinghistory - they’re typically excellent, but I haven’t searched this particular set of topics/resources #BetterTogetherCA
Here's a few good books on that score related to LGBTQ families: Andrew Aldrich, How My Family Came to Be: Daddy, Papa & Me, Cheryl Kilodavis, My Princess Boy, Patricia Polacco, In Our Mothers' House, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, And Tango Makes Three #BetterTogetherCA
Our new ELA adoption definitely has more texts that are culturally relevant - not only do the students who can identify with the characters enjoy them, but all my students are. #BetterTogetherCA
True that. And when we make a purposeful effort to make sure one underrepresented group is better represented, we probably get better at noticing our own biases and other groups that are underrepresented in our texts and instruction. #bettertogetherca
A3. ALL students need to be seen, valued, and represented. I am reminded of Audre Lorde: "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." #BetterTogetherCA
Q4: How does the inclusion of LGBT and disability history in the Social Science Framework help prepare students for citizen leadership? #BetterTogetherCA
A3. ALL students need to be seen, valued, and represented. I am reminded of Audre Lorde: "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." #BetterTogetherCA
Yes. It's about building a diversity toolbox of language and concepts over all grades, K-12, so that when they encounter difference, students lean in to participate more fully in the diverse democratic society they live in. And is keeps us adults accountable! #BetterTogetherCA
A3. From the 2015 @GLSEN_Education School Climate Survery: Attending a school w/ positive representations of LGBT topics in the curriculum was related to a less hostile school climate.
#BetterTogetherCA
A3. LGBTQ students in schools with an inclusive curriculum heard homophobic remarks and negative remarks about gender expression and transgender people less frequently, felt safer, and reported less severe victimization. #BetterTogetherCA
A4: Having the SS framework to include ALL hopefully opens the minds of young students to be more accepting. I feel that if I can share some good in my classroom, maybe a few will have a positive mindset as they grow up despite what is taught at home. #BetterTogetherCA
"the more we talk about diversity and inclusivity the better our kids get at their own beliefs" By pushing YOUR beliefs on them? That is called "indoctrination"! #TeachNotPreach#BetterTogetherCA
A4: the more they learn and discuss the more they adopt belief systems that help them advocate and be leaders in society—knowledge is power #BetterTogetherCA
Q5: What are some challenges that teachers face in presenting FAIR Education Act aligned lessons? How do we address these challenges? #BetterTogetherCA
Also from the @GLSEN_Education 2015 Climate Survey: LGBTQ students who received an LGBT-inclusive education performed better in school and exhibited higher academic aspirations, were more likely to report classmates were more accepting of LGBT people and be allies
Yes!! At the 3rd grade level I try to provide material and conversations that will hopefully help them build a positive belief system. #BetterTogetherCA
A2. For your libraries, check out The Routledge History of Queer America, which I edited, out this month. Priced high for individuals but next year out in affordable paperback! #BetterTogetherCAhttps://t.co/JJX918qANx
It is so important for educators to know that they have the support and encouragement of their site and district administration in implementing the FAIR act fully. #bettertogetherca
A5: I think some challenges especially are providing ways to have students from SPED classes be included in appropriate grade level activities. #BetterTogetherCA
A5: challenges are students, parents, and staff uncomfortable with the curriculum and discussion. We must do what is right and be relentless in our pursuit of celebrating and supporting all students and citizens #BetterTogetherCA
A5: challenges are students, parents, and staff uncomfortable with the curriculum and discussion. We must do what is right and be relentless in our pursuit of celebrating and supporting all students and citizens #BetterTogetherCA
It's important to know what the law mandates--and protects--and if you're a History-Social Science educator, what's in the 2016 HSS Framework. Here's a guide from the @UCDHistProject : https://t.co/33R1Rfy6I2#BetterTogetherCA
In reply to
@nzefeldt, @CATeacherSummit, @UCDHistProject
A6. Don't be afraid to get admin and teacher/district leaders to get you FAIR Education Act PD. Most of us never learned LGBTQ and Disability History in K-12 or college! #BetterTogetherCA
Our most current activity is connecting through the @unicefkidpower program. We discuss needs of malnourished children in other countries, watch videos, and get very active with our step-counting watches. #BetterTogetherCA
A6. Don't be afraid to get admin and teacher/district leaders to get you FAIR Education Act PD. Most of us never learned LGBTQ and Disability History in K-12 or college! #BetterTogetherCA
Reach out to me and I can connect you with good folks at the various UC History Projects, @historyunerased, and others for this. I do some of this myself if it makes sense for districts. #BetterTogetherCA
So many to choose from - I usually follow any CA teachers participating in twitter chats, edcamps, or tweeting on CA-related hashtags, CA conferences, etc., including #BetterTogetherCA
