Made In America

Presented By:
Danielle Movsessian
Victoria Powers
Rachel Orbach
Dylan Zimmerman

Presentation Outline

Activity
Book Overview
Advocacy Statement
Language
Academic Sequence
Social Sequence
Culture
Suggestions for Change
o Educators
o Policy Makers
o Businesses
Summary

Activity
List as many cultural groups as you can
that existed at your high school
(ethnicity, race, language, etc.)

In The Book...
1.Afghan Girls
2.Fijian Girls
3.Afghans
4.Indian Girls
5.Vietnamese Girls
6.Fijian Boys
7.Vietnamese who speak English
8.Mexicans who speak English
9.Black Students

10.Americans
11.Chinese Boys
12.The Americans
13.Mexican-Mexican Girls
14.Boys who speak Spanish
15.Chinese girls who speak Mandarin
16.Vietnamese Boys
17.Latins

Book Overview

Explores the difficulties immigrant students face in

education

The divide between cultures and languages in schools

Promotes giving everyone an equal education regardless

of race, culture, ethnicity, or educational background

Types of changes that need to be made in our educational

system

Advocacy Statement
On behalf of the students who face language and
cultural barriers, we advocate that schools should
provide complete access to an inclusive education
comprised of a multicultural vision. This should
accommodate the needs of every student, regardless of
their cultural or academic background. In doing so, all
students will obtain the right to learn without the barriers
put in place by society.

Language
Language Shock:
All day, I sit in classes and hear English, English,
English, and try so hard to understand, but I do not
understand. I was afraid the teacher would call on me..
by lunch my head was hurting, and I felt despair (pg.
93)

Academic
Consequences
Access to Curriculum
Separated into special classes and schools
Focused on language, not on academic subject areas
Limiting Academic Opportunity

Curriculum focuses on English proficiency

Lack of necessary vocabulary to achieve in higher classes
No focus on home language proficiency
Lacking teachers, courses, and training

Social Consequences
Access to English Speaking Peers
Isolated and separated based on proficiency
Rejected by peers
English-speaking kids reject, put down, and freeze newcomers out
of social involvement with the English-speaking social world (pg. 92)
Access to Social Events
Unable to participate

Culture
Madison High School is a microcosm of the melting pot that is America
No single majority or ethnic group; 16 different languages, of students are
immigrants, student population represents every continent - pg 14
None of these cultures interact. Due to language barriers, lack of common ground,
and the reluctance to meet new groups
Becomes very difficult for the teachers to connect with the students in their
teachings

...Culture Continued
Culture is important and it is challenging to integrate students into
American school culture and still have the students hold onto their
roots and honor them in a respectful way

How can I be American, and still be me?

Cultural awareness for students and teachers is very important.

Students dress, speak, and act in different ways. Peers and
teachers should be mindful and respectful so they encourage
students to continue representing their cultures while assimilating
at school
Schools should include teaching students of different backgrounds to
navigate social world

Suggestions For
Change
Educators
Policy Makers
Businesses

Educators
Schools should provide full and equal access of the
curriculum to children who face language and
cultural barriers. With this, all classrooms should be
inclusive as well as compromise the use of both
English and students primary languages for
instruction and aid in English proficiency.

Policy Makers
Federal and local legislatures should mandate
programs that address the language and culture
barriers facing students and ensure educational
access for these students. In addition, the
integrative programs should address the barriers
students face and be monitored regularly.

Businesses
Business delegates should support the community and use
their power to voice and demand equal access to education
for those who face barriers due to culture and language
differences.

Summary
It is difficult to integrate diversity into society and especially
difficult in the classroom. When dealing with a class full of
students from different academic, cultural, and ethnic
backgrounds, it can be a challenge to give an equal education.
However, as the book demonstrated, it is an integral part of
having a successful educational system and should be of utmost
importance to you as future educators.