Open Minds to Equality: A Sourcebook of Learning Activities to Affirm Diversity and Promote Equality (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Ellen Davidson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Educators are becoming increasingly concerned with more areas of discrimination and inequality that affects students. For example, as more immigrant students enter schools, understandings and skills for educating about language discrimination are needed. Similarly, as educators become more aware of the negative consequences of homophobic behavior on students, knowledge and approaches for dealing with homophobia in schools are called for. Open Minds to Equality deals with the expanding range of equity concerns. Membership in the largest association (National Association for Multicultural Educators) is growing by leaps and bounds. State-level associations are being started in these subjects all across the country. While focusing on discrimination based on race, gender, class, and age, the second edition also addresses bias based on religion, mental and physical ability, sexual orientation, and language. It provides educators an inclusive framework for thinking about diversity and responding practically to all these forms of difference in their classrooms. Activities in the book address both content and process. The content broadens the readersÕ awareness of the causes of inequality, particularly how differences are used to justify inequality. It encourages questions and the exploration of many sources of information and various points of view. The process is experiential, participatory, cooperative, and democratic. This book is extremely helpful for teachers, facilitators, staff development programs, and curriculum specialists. It is also appropriate for professionals in educational settings outside of schools such as camps, scouts, church groups, and youth agencies (all of which bought the first edition of this book). A Longwood Professional Book.

From the Back Cover

Educators are becoming increasingly concerned with more areas of discrimination and inequality that affects students. For example, as more immigrant students enter schools, understandings and skills for educating about language discrimination are needed. Similarly, as educators become more aware of the negative consequences of homophobic behavior on students, knowledge and approaches for dealing with homophobia in schools are called for. Open Minds to Equality deals with the expanding range of equity concerns. Membership in the largest association (National Association for Multicultural Educators) is growing by leaps and bounds. State-level associations are being started in these subjects all across the country. While focusing on discrimination based on race, gender, class, and age, the second edition also addresses bias based on religion, mental and physical ability, sexual orientation, and language. It provides educators an inclusive framework for thinking about diversity and responding practically to all these forms of difference in their classrooms. Activities in the book address both content and process. The content broadens the readersÕ awareness of the causes of inequality, particularly how differences are used to justify inequality. It encourages questions and the exploration of many sources of information and various points of view. The process is experiential, participatory, cooperative, and democratic. This book is extremely helpful for teachers, facilitators, staff development programs, and curriculum specialists. It is also appropriate for professionals in educational settings outside of schools such as camps, scouts, church groups, and youth agencies (all of which bought the first edition of this book). A Longwood Professional Book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 387 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 2 edition (September 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020516109X
• ISBN-13: 978-0205161096
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #976,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, April 3, 2000

By A Customer

The authors have created a resource that addresses the violence of discrimation on the basis of gender, class, age, sexual or religious preference, ethnicity, and physical abilities. The excercises and activities are easy to use and the authors have also included an extensive "Resource Section" with plenty of additional materials/references and advice on how to incorporate the activities into core subject areas. Although recommended for upper elementary thru high school students, the activities can be modified for lower elementary grades also. I highly recommend this book for a teacher who aspires to teach his/her students to look at themselves and society with sensitive, critical, and educated eyes.