Diversity In Books In Schools: A Case Study

We can get books in almost any form imaginable; from audiobooks, to electronic editions, and of course the traditional print copies. All of these options make accessing reading incredibly easy. However, there is still a problem although we have hundreds of thousands of books to choose from; there are a lack of cultural diverse book options for our students. Books about blacks, hispanics,and other ethnicities are extremely underrepresented. The problem of diversity if not only seen in books, but with day to day lessons; such as math word problems using names like Sally or Tom and history textbooks focusing on certain aspects of the events that may leave out the parts played by other cultures. As stated by Lanfair in Matching Student Resources
With Student Experiences students need resources that they will connect with. He provides solutions to help with this problem; find books that connect with students from diverse backgrounds. Substitute names of students within your classroom for those in the math problem. Take the time to learn about different authors. research how those authors can help your students make a connection. Use real history do not be obligated to only teach what is in the textbook. Find credible sources and differentiating opinions on the topic that will engage all students. By going the extra step to put these solutions in place we are validating our students differences and cultures. We are helping to build an inclusive community within our classrooms.