%0 Journal Article
%T Multicultural ChildrenĄ¯s Literature and Teacher CandidatesĄ¯ Awareness and Attitudes Toward Cultural Diversity
%A Yuko IWAI
%J International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education
%D 2013
%I International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education
%X The purpose of this study was to look at elementary/middle school pre-service teachersĄ¯ perceptions of multicultural and diversity issues through multicultural childrenĄ¯s literature. Nineteen pre-service teachers in a foundation of literacy course explored multicultural childrenĄ¯s literature and involved group/class discussions and a project over the semester. Data was collected using the pre- and post-Cultural Diversity Awareness Inventory (CDAI), open-ended responses, quick writings, projects, and class interactions. The results showed that while they were not familiar with multicultural childrenĄ¯s literature at the beginning of the semester, at the end of the semester they developed positive attitudes toward learning about them, identified them as crucial to foster childrenĄ¯s awareness of diversity, and planned to use them in their future classrooms. They also increased their positive attitudes toward multicultural and diversity issues. In particular, they were most aware of two categories, cultural diversity and multicultural environment, in the CDAI.
%K Teacher Candidates
%K Multicultural ChildrenĄ¯s Literature
%K Cultural Diversity
%K Teacher Education
%K Multicultural Education
%U http://www.iejee.com/5_2_2013/IEJEE_5_2_Iwai.pdf