Publication Date
12-2022
School
School of Education
Major
Education: Elementary/Middle
Keywords
children’s literature, culturally diverse literature, diversity, multicultural literature, social inclusion, windows and mirrors
Disciplines
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Educational Psychology | Elementary Education | Social Psychology
Recommended Citation
Works, Amanda, "More Than a Single Story: Culturally Diverse Literature and Social Inclusion in Elementary Classrooms" (2022). Senior Honors Theses. 1253.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1253
Abstract
This paper aims to consider the existing literature regarding culturally diverse literature, social inclusion, and children’s literature as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. These three concepts form a conceptual framework that supports the research study, which explored the use of culturally diverse literature and any correlation with social inclusion. Four elementary teachers participated in semi-structured interviews focused on two research questions: “What impacts the use of culturally diverse literature in elementary classrooms?” and “Does culturally diverse literature affect social inclusion in elementary classrooms?”. Through thematic, qualitative analysis, the study identified three central themes: (1) levels of choice based on availability of culturally diverse literature, (2) literature as mirrors and windows, and (3) literature as a tool for culture sharing.
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Social Psychology Commons
