Perspectives on Elementary Education : A Casebook for Critically Analyzing Issues of Diversity

This supplemental text provides a collection of three dozen real-world case studies in diversity that foster discussion-based, active learning pedagogy designed to guide students in problem analysis and problem solving.

The cases explore a wide-range of diversity issues at the elementary (Pre-K-5) level, including culture, academic performance and expectations, safety and prosocial behaviors, social issues, special needs, and issues surrounding the family. The approach organizes discussion around defining problems, identifying alternatives, and proposing solutions to the issues presented in the case. The goal of the text is not to pose a single solution, but rather to learn how to analyze situations involving diverse individuals, evaluate a variety of solutions, and evaluate the consequences of those solutions.

Features

• The diverse authors consist of academics, practicing classroom teachers, student teachers, pre-service teachers, and students.
• Vignettes in each chapter present real-world situations by which teachers can make decisions.
• Provides guidelines for the use of cases to ensure effective use of the case-study approach. Cases vary in length, perspective, and subject area, providing maximum flexibility of use.

Author bio:

Dr. Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Purdue University. She teaches courses in early childhood education. Her research centers on the contexts of early educational intervention, kindergarten retention, economically disadvantaged children's transition to school (particularly the Head Start population), and intervention for children with chronic health problems.