Carolan, Amy (2022) "But where are you really from?" Celebrating diversity in the classroom through visual arts, underpinned by a culturally responsive framework. Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.

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Abstract

The primary classroom is a space where every child should feel like they belong. As a teacher I feel it is my role to welcome a new group of children every September, get to know them and develop a relationship with them before teaching begins. The purpose of this self-study Action Research project was to enhance my practice and create a classroom environment that celebrates diversity. Visual Art was selected for this subject-based approach to research. The study took place in an Educate Together National School in Leinster with a sample of 23 sixth-class children aged 11-13 years old. A conceptual framework created for this research underpinned by Culturally Relevant Teaching and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. The study took place over a twelve-week period and was divided into three research cycles covering different areas. Methods for data collection were pre and post-intervention questionnaires, samples of children’s work, observations, children’s reflective journals and a teacher reflective journal. The findings from this study emphasise the role of the teacher in implementing a culturally responsive framework to create a sense of belonging in an environment that celebrates diversity. The importance of providing children and teachers with time and space to reflect was identified and it was suggested that before children can accept and celebrate others’ cultures they should become familiar with their own first. Visual Art was selected for this research as it aligned with my educational values of Voice, Creativity and Collaboration and it was found to provide opportunities for communication, appealing to children with English as an additional language and to those who experience difficulties with literacy. I believe this research has improved my practice and in doing so my educational values of Voice, Creativity and Collaboration will be a principal tenet in my daily practice moving forward.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Additional Information:	M.Ed. Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education
Keywords:	Celebrating diversity; classroom; visual arts; culturally responsive framework;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education
Item ID:	17294
Depositing User:	IR eTheses
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2023 11:15
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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