Post by Christi Slekovac on Sept 18, 2020 8:51:36 GMT -8
I interviewed Miss Lynda, our infant room teacher, who is from Algeria. We have another parent who is from Algeria, so I asked her many questions about their culture and what respect looks like for them. I also asked her what she thought would be more helpful for our Algerian parents, or parents who are not native English speakers in general. She mentioned the idea of translating documents that need to be signed and returned, as well as having common phrases in the classroom in children's native language. I particularly liked the second idea, because it helps the child, as well as the parent, and the teacher. I am planning to do more research, but I would like to implement this in our classrooms.
1. What is your definition of “culture?” - anything that's a tradition – dance, food, songs, wedding ceremonies, circumcision
2. How do you define “family?” - extended; ceremonies are huge, every relation is expected to be there
3. Who holds the most “status” in your family? Why? - Historically the father, because usually they are the one who works; things are starting to become more egalitarian; women are starting to fight for their rights.
4. How do you define success? - higher education, nice jobs, lots of money. If someone who educates their children well, they are seen as successful
5. Do you consider your parents to be successful? - yes, dad was a teacher, and my mom was really smart. She always pushed us to do well in school
6. What is the most important meal of the day? - all of them, but dinner is most important because everyone is home
and family is together.
7. Do you eat foods that are indigenous to your culture? Why or why not? If you answered yes, name some of the foods that you eat. If you answered no, what types of foods do you eat?
- couscous, mhajeb – like quesadilla
8. Do you actively participate in an organized religion?
- yes, she is Muslim
- Friday, people pray at the mosk, not allowed to buy or sell things until noon
9. If religion is important in your family, do you plan to pass this on to your children? Why or why not?
- yes, her children are raised Muslim, though she allows them to celebrate Christmas because she doesn't want them to feel left out. Her oldest child is 7, so when they are older, she plans to explain the differences to them. However, they also celebrate the Muslim holidays with her as well.
10. Define and describe the most important (or most celebrated) holiday of your culture.
Ramadon - they fast from sunrise to sundown
aid el fitr – breaking the fast: give away $$ for needy people, new clothes
aid al adha – sacrificing the lamb because Mohamed did, giving the lamb to needy people
the purpose of this is discipline and self-control. They also practice controlling their anger and making extra effort to be kind.
at the age of 7 they can fast for one day, then as they grow a few more as they get older, and they usually do full ramadan at 10 or 11).
11. If you are from a culture that speaks English as a second language, do you speak your native language?
There were many conflicts over the “offical language”
- burbur, arabic, french
- burbur and arabic: migration
- french: war for 8 years
12. If so, will you teach your native language to your children?
- she would like them to learn it, but when her oldest was little he had trouble speaking in general so she wanted to make sure they learned english first and then could learn other languages later.
13. How is physical contact viewed in your culture? - sex for only for married people, but physical touch (non sexual) is allowed among friends.
14. What is considered most disrespectful in your culture? gossiping
15. What is considered most respectful in your culture? Eye contact, listening well, respect for elders
16. What would you say is, from your perspective, the most commonly held misconception about people of your culture?
- everything
! This really got me
17. What can be done about racism and prejudice
- everyone's life matters
- you can't change people's thoughts, but I would treat all the same
- don't underestimate anyone, especially yourself
18. How do you feel we could better serve children and families from your culture?
- translate documents
- culture day and similar things
- common phrases in other languages for the children
- makes the parents feel like their language is represented
1. What is your definition of “culture?” - anything that's a tradition – dance, food, songs, wedding ceremonies, circumcision
2. How do you define “family?” - extended; ceremonies are huge, every relation is expected to be there
3. Who holds the most “status” in your family? Why? - Historically the father, because usually they are the one who works; things are starting to become more egalitarian; women are starting to fight for their rights.
4. How do you define success? - higher education, nice jobs, lots of money. If someone who educates their children well, they are seen as successful
5. Do you consider your parents to be successful? - yes, dad was a teacher, and my mom was really smart. She always pushed us to do well in school
6. What is the most important meal of the day? - all of them, but dinner is most important because everyone is home
and family is together.
7. Do you eat foods that are indigenous to your culture? Why or why not? If you answered yes, name some of the foods that you eat. If you answered no, what types of foods do you eat?
- couscous, mhajeb – like quesadilla
8. Do you actively participate in an organized religion?
- yes, she is Muslim
- Friday, people pray at the mosk, not allowed to buy or sell things until noon
9. If religion is important in your family, do you plan to pass this on to your children? Why or why not?
- yes, her children are raised Muslim, though she allows them to celebrate Christmas because she doesn't want them to feel left out. Her oldest child is 7, so when they are older, she plans to explain the differences to them. However, they also celebrate the Muslim holidays with her as well.
10. Define and describe the most important (or most celebrated) holiday of your culture.
Ramadon - they fast from sunrise to sundown
aid el fitr – breaking the fast: give away $$ for needy people, new clothes
aid al adha – sacrificing the lamb because Mohamed did, giving the lamb to needy people
the purpose of this is discipline and self-control. They also practice controlling their anger and making extra effort to be kind.
at the age of 7 they can fast for one day, then as they grow a few more as they get older, and they usually do full ramadan at 10 or 11).
11. If you are from a culture that speaks English as a second language, do you speak your native language?
There were many conflicts over the “offical language”
- burbur, arabic, french
- burbur and arabic: migration
- french: war for 8 years
12. If so, will you teach your native language to your children?
- she would like them to learn it, but when her oldest was little he had trouble speaking in general so she wanted to make sure they learned english first and then could learn other languages later.
13. How is physical contact viewed in your culture? - sex for only for married people, but physical touch (non sexual) is allowed among friends.
14. What is considered most disrespectful in your culture? gossiping
15. What is considered most respectful in your culture? Eye contact, listening well, respect for elders
16. What would you say is, from your perspective, the most commonly held misconception about people of your culture?
- everything
! This really got me
17. What can be done about racism and prejudice
- everyone's life matters
- you can't change people's thoughts, but I would treat all the same
- don't underestimate anyone, especially yourself
18. How do you feel we could better serve children and families from your culture?
- translate documents
- culture day and similar things
- common phrases in other languages for the children
- makes the parents feel like their language is represented