Multicultural Literacy in the 21st Century Classrooms

The study focuses on how multicultural literacy is integrated into everyday lessons in the elementary classroom(s). A benefit of multicultural literacy in education is that it can create a sense of belonging in the students, which increases their engagement, and desire to learn. Furthermore, multicultural literacy encourages students to make connections with text, other people and real world experiences fostering learning that transcends the classroom and school setting (Fox & Short, 2003). The research examines how multicultural literacy is integrated and implemented in the classroom(s). This examination is accomplished through a combination of interviews and observations in the classroom(s). The research also seeks to identify resources and supplemental materials for educators and specialists to better inform their pedagogy. The study provides examples that can be adapted in the elementary classroom to increase reading, comprehension, critical thinking, and perspective taking in students through the use of multicultural literacy materials and activities.