Barbara W. Coles Trader
It is a fact that, when living in the United States of America, one lives in a culturally pluralistic society. Industrialization and high technology are imposing the growing of cultural literacy. One really needs to have a deep understanding of mainstream culture which no longer has much to do with “White AngloSaxon Protestants.” Hence, a broad concept of one’s whole civilization is essential for improving his/her intellectual, social economic, political development and mental health.
I agree with Orlanda Patterson, a renown black sociologist, “An AfricanAmerican and others must possess information which is essential for improving their mental health/selfesteem, economic status and the ability to hold positions of responsibility with power.” The strategies of power are acquired through literacy, but an individual must be aware of his/her ancestry to try to understand this pluralistic society. I will give each student an opportunity to read the speech written by Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” which deals with social goals. The students will read several bestsellers children’s family biographies. They will write their family biographies to identify the elements of biographies. The students will interview and write about their family members in a positive manner. The Curriculum Unit, which I wrote in 1988 entitled,
Immigrants and American Identity
” “African Americans during The 19th and 20th Centuries in New Haven, Connecticut,” will be used with this Curriculum Unit. I have excellent
(RIF) Reading Is Fundamental
trade books that are available in my classroom. The students enjoy reading about families, painting, photography and other literary works for selfesteem/mental health to improve cultural skills/literacy.
