Grand Canyon University
Diversity and Learning Environments Reflective Essay
The cultural frame of reference refers to cultural characteristics. These characteristics are
determined by our environments. The environments in which we live, those that we surround
ourselves with often, our family heritage and background, and even gender norms. As humans,
we tend to use these as a platform for making judgments. We use linguistics in a frame of
reference through expression in both discussions, and writing in order to describe physical
locations, etc.
, When I think about my own background and frames of reference, I find that I make
judgments toward the state in which I live due to the massive difference in culture. As a Jew it is
hard in a state like Utah to fit in (at least that is my personal perception), and unfortunately there
is little access to the Jewish community here. Utah is a far cry from my home city of Los
Angeles, where I had access to a large community of fellow Jews with tons of opportunities to
meet others and stay connected. With that being said, I do not look at my students and think this
about them or their families. This has absolutely nothing to do with my students, as I keep as
much and all bias necessary out of my classroom.
I personally feel as though the unintentional bias comes from more the adult than the
children. I say this because as children we get our thinking and ideas from our parents and
examples. Not to mention, it just is not a teacher's place to discuss or influence children in any
way in about our own frame of reference and choices. I design instruction solely around IEP
goals and the core for dynamic learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment. I feel it is much
easier when we have goals or even the adapted core curriculum to keep bias out of instruction.
This does not mean however that it doesn't slip in now and then.
When I really get down to thinking about it, I do see how my love and admiration for
Harry Potter and JK Rowling does have some frame of reference on my students. I place all of
my children in a house compared to the summary of each house, and the students earn rewards
and opportunities based on the amount of house points they receive as a team. Well I teach DLM
students who are intellectually disabled, I often hear from them how they are not the biggest fans
of Harry Potter, and that some of them don't even know what it is. This is hard because as a
teacher, I want to have a fun classroom that is appeasing and exciting for students to enter. So
Diversity and Learning Environments Reflective Essay
The cultural frame of reference refers to cultural characteristics. These characteristics are
determined by our environments. The environments in which we live, those that we surround
ourselves with often, our family heritage and background, and even gender norms. As humans,
we tend to use these as a platform for making judgments. We use linguistics in a frame of
reference through expression in both discussions, and writing in order to describe physical
locations, etc.
, When I think about my own background and frames of reference, I find that I make
judgments toward the state in which I live due to the massive difference in culture. As a Jew it is
hard in a state like Utah to fit in (at least that is my personal perception), and unfortunately there
is little access to the Jewish community here. Utah is a far cry from my home city of Los
Angeles, where I had access to a large community of fellow Jews with tons of opportunities to
meet others and stay connected. With that being said, I do not look at my students and think this
about them or their families. This has absolutely nothing to do with my students, as I keep as
much and all bias necessary out of my classroom.
I personally feel as though the unintentional bias comes from more the adult than the
children. I say this because as children we get our thinking and ideas from our parents and
examples. Not to mention, it just is not a teacher's place to discuss or influence children in any
way in about our own frame of reference and choices. I design instruction solely around IEP
goals and the core for dynamic learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment. I feel it is much
easier when we have goals or even the adapted core curriculum to keep bias out of instruction.
This does not mean however that it doesn't slip in now and then.
When I really get down to thinking about it, I do see how my love and admiration for
Harry Potter and JK Rowling does have some frame of reference on my students. I place all of
my children in a house compared to the summary of each house, and the students earn rewards
and opportunities based on the amount of house points they receive as a team. Well I teach DLM
students who are intellectually disabled, I often hear from them how they are not the biggest fans
of Harry Potter, and that some of them don't even know what it is. This is hard because as a
teacher, I want to have a fun classroom that is appeasing and exciting for students to enter. So
