Working with students from diverse backgrounds is one of the greatest challenges teachers face. In addition, teachers and administrators face additional pressure to "close the achievement gap" between white students and their racial and ethnically diverse counterparts. A former teacher, Bonnie Davis has particular insight into this issue as a white woman with a black son who has successfully taught students of diverse backgrounds. Drawing on the educational literature on the subject, Bonnie has created an interactive workbook for teachers that will help them understand their students and find new and better ways of teaching to them.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Part I: Building Background Knowledge About Diverse Learners 1. Our Culture: The Way We View the World 2. Understanding Diverse Learners 3. What We Know About the Achievement Gap Part II: Examining Our Inner World 4. Reflecting on the Educator Self 5. Exploring Our Racial Identity 6. A Day in the Life... Part III: Creating a Learning Environment That Supports Diverse Learners 7. Building Community Through Research-Based Learning Expectations 8. Creating a School Culture That Welcomes Diverse Learners 9. Using Books to Support School and Community Partnerships 10. Cultivating Relationships With Diverse Learners Part IV: Research-Based Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners 11. Reaching Diverse Learners Through Strategic Instruction 12. Inspiring Diverse Learners to Love Reading and Writing 13. Improving Reading Skills: Reading Aloud 14. Building a Balanced Literacy Classroom: Reading and Writing Workshops 15. Differentiating Instruction 16. Multidisciplinary Experiences 17. Sponsoring Academic Student Support Groups Selected Bibliography Index Facilitator's Guide

Author Biography

Bonnie M. Davis is a veteran teacher of more than 30 years who is passionate about education. She has taught in middle schools, high schools, universities, homeless shelters, and a men's prison. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year and the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. She holds a Ph.D. in English. Her publications include How to Teach Students Who Don't Look Like You; How to Coach Teachers Who Don't Think Like You; and The Biracial and Multiracial Student Experience: a Journey to Racial Literacy. Davis has presented at numerous national conferences and provides services to schools through her consulting firm, Educating for Change.