30th Annual Student Research Conference
The Influence of Multicultural Literature in the English Classroom
Geri D. Farrell♦
Dr. Summer Pennell, Dr. Rebecca Dierking, and Dr. Sarah Mohler, Faculty Mentors
During this study, students from a Midwest suburban middle class school explored multicultural novels in literature groups. This study explored the question: How does exploring multicultural literature influence 1) student understanding of culture, and 2) student’s ability to draw connections between their lives and the lives of the people from other cultures? The research focused on the work of three students out of a class of 30 who were reading I am Malala. Data came from three sources: observations of student discussions; student work; and conferences with students. Analysis showed that all three focal students displayed an increase in their understanding of the culture within I am Malala and all three students displayed an increase in their ability to make connections with a culture other than their own. It should be noted that the ability to make meaningful connections to the culture of study varied greatly depending on the student.
Keywords: Multicultural, English, Literature, Education, Secondary
Topic(s):English MAE Intern
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 102-4
Location: MG 1090
Time: 8:45