In Cathy's Classroom: Creating Community in a Multi-ethnic Classroom

Abstract

Forming close-knit relationships in a multi-ethnic classroom is a challenge
faced by an increasing number of teachers in a shrinking world. Every young child
wants to (and needs to) feel that they belong. A bright-eyed fourth grader, Anna,
stated during an interview that she has 25 good friends out of the 25 other members
of her classroom. I had visited Anna's multi-ethnic classroom the previous day and
had found 24 students apart from Anna and one motherly, energetic teacher, Cathy.
Each of these, Anna considered as being a good friend of hers. I was eager to
understand the strong connections between the members of Anna's class. This
report shares some of my findings.