I chose to make the base of my multicultural logo a shield shape because a shield or crest is a symbol that represents a group of people who are related for some reason. These people may come from different backgrounds, cultures, or even families, but under this sign of their association, they find a common characteristic of who they are. The crest symbolizes a team, a heritage, or a group that stands for something special. A multicultural classroom has all of these elements.

When students enter my classroom and become the group known as my students, I recognize that they bring “the complex characteristics of their own ethnic groups” with them (Banks’ first principle). They are a part of a new population, the student body, represented by a school mascot or perhaps a Multiculturalism Education class logo, but they are still very much influenced by and a part of their individual cultures. I believe that a shield, a cross-cultural sign of family, tradition, and culture, represents multicultural unity.

The lyre on this shield is a symbol of music, which I have always thought of as a universal language and something found in every culture. One of the most important extra-curricular activities that I participated in as a student was performing in wind ensembles; bands have their own unique camaraderie, and music is something someone from any background or culture can participate in and enjoy. Students who participate in music do better in school — I would recommend music as a great way for “students from different racial, ethnic, cultural, and language groups to interact socially under conditions designed to reduce fear and anxiety” (Banks’ ninth principle).

The lion is a common figure in crests and shields; this one is referred to as the lion rampant, standing and looking especially fierce. It represents courage, strength, and pride — values shared across cultures. According to Banks’ seventh principle, these shared values are what students should learn. I believe the lion itself is an image that students in my class would want to represent them. I took this particular lion from the crest of Clan Farquharson, my family’s clan.

In the background of the crest is the handwriting of one of my favorite poets. I added this background to reflect that students in my classroom are now a part of an academic culture. They work together to encounter, understand, and create literature; an important value of their culture as a class under this logo is to learn, and as the leader of this group, it is a value of mine to be sure they learn and are assessed in a safe, fair, and “culturally sensitive” environment (Banks’ twelfth principle). When students enter the classroom and become a part of their classroom culture each day, they hopefully will know that it is a place and culture where their ideas are welcome and will be assessed fairly.

January, 2009

A  
            All for one and one for all, my motto

B  
            Bartlesville is where I was born and raised

C  
            Church is where I sometimes go with my parents

D  
            Drives between home there and home here

E  
            Elizabeth, the name my father gave me

F  
            Findlay is what usually comes after

G  
            Growing up, I had an easy life

H  
            Half-Scottish, Half-Yankee born

I  
            Idealist dreamer describes my personality

J  
            Justo suficiente espanol para los ESLs

K  
            Kids are who I work with every day

L  
            Literature is how I live my life

M  
            Madam, miss, my lady; not a mister

N  
            Nerdy hobbies include Ren faires, history,
            and the accordion

O  
            Older than my only brother

P  
            Player of instruments and words (and Scrabble)

Q  
            Quotations from books and movies float in my head

R  
            Renaissance student: I try to master it all

S  
            Strive, seek, find, and not to yield —
            my philosophy of education

T  
            Talented! When I’m not lazy!

U  
            Under pressure to make my parents proud

V  
            V is very very, extraordinary

W  
            Willing to adventure across country, abroad, or the moon

X  
            X never marks the spot, my hero Dr. Jones says

Y  
            Younger than most of my classmates

Z  
            Zodiac sign is Leo; I love the spotlight

February 26, 2009

For a printer-friendly copy
of the Multicultural Issues logo
R U B R I C ,
click the MC icon.

For a printer-friendly copy
of the Multicultural Issues logo
A S S I G N M E N T ,
click the Adobe logo.