Three University Perspectives: Weaving
Equity, Diversity and Current Issues into Cl
Participants will explore four equity activities used to embed equity, diversity, and related
current issues into the Classroom Interactions course. We will also discuss the critical
question: How do we prepare teachers for schools “as they are” while also helping them
prepare for their role as change agents for schools, community, and society. The intent of the
session is to share resources and ideas to ensure equity and diversity as a building block of this
and other courses in the Uteach model.
Presenter: Ruth Kravetz
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Organization: University of Houston
Email: rkravetz@uh.edu
Co-Presenter 2: Tom Le
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Organization: University of Houston
Email: tmle17@uh.edu
Co-Presenter 1: Carrie La Voy
Title: Lecturer, Mathematics Education
Organization: University of Kansas
Email: cll@ku.edu
Co-Presenter 3: Deborah Gober
Title: Co-Director; Professor of Math Education
Organization: Columbus State University
Email: gober_deborah@columbusstate.edu
Three University Perspectives: Weaving
Equity, Diversity and Current Issues into Cl
Participants will explore four equity activities used to embed equity, diversity, and related
current issues into the Classroom Interactions course. We will also discuss the critical
question: How do we prepare teachers for schools “as they are” while also helping them
prepare for their role as change agents for schools, community, and society. The intent of the
session is to share resources and ideas to ensure equity and diversity as a building block of this
and other courses in the Uteach model.
Presenter: Ruth Kravetz
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Organization: University of Houston
Email: rkravetz@uh.edu
Co-Presenter 2: Tom Le
Title: Clinical Associate Professor
Organization: University of Houston
Email: tmle17@uh.edu
Co-Presenter 1: Carrie La Voy
Title: Lecturer, Mathematics Education
Organization: University of Kansas
Email: cll@ku.edu
Co-Presenter 3: Deborah Gober
Title: Co-Director; Professor of Math Education
Organization: Columbus State University
Email: gober_deborah@columbusstate.edu
Artifacts to Share
Topics of Discussion
Introductions and Four Activities
1. Equity Stance Activity – Ruth (15 minutes)
2. Equity Step Backward and Forward – Carrie (15 minutes)
3. Equity School Scavenger Hunt – Ruth (15 min)
4. Four Corners Current Events Activity – Tom (5 minutes)
Sharing Best Practices – Debbie (15 minutes)
 Making Field assignment – Getting to Know Your Students
Additional Resources
 Mix, Freeze, Pair Activity
 Mathematical Story Problem Activity
 Equity Project List of Possible Topics
Equity Stance Activity
Purpose:
• It helps students understand how teacher attitudes
about equity affect the classroom experience of our
students.
• Each equity stance has some merit, thus forcing
students to delve deeper into the rationale behind their
own equity perspective.
Guiding questions are located on p. 3-4 in the following link:
http://www.nsrfharmony.org/protocol/doc/equity_stances.pdf
Equity Stance: Essential Question
What do you believe schools should do regarding
equity in student learning?
• This is not asking you what you believe about goals;
this is asking what you believe about actions!
Equity Stance: Directions
• Read the 5 stances quietly and decide which stance
most closely matches your own.
• Write your initial reactions and any questions you
might have.
Equity Stance: Directions
Three Levels Text Protocol in Three Rounds
1. Person 1 (up to 3 minutes)
• LEVEL 1: read aloud the passage she/he has selected
• LEVEL 2: say what she/he thinks about the passage (interpretation,
connection to past experiences, etc.)
• LEVEL 3: say what she/he sees as the implications for his/her work.
____________________________________________________________
2. The group responds (up to 2 minutes TOTAL) to what
has been said.
____________________________________________________________
3. Repeat the process for Persons 2 and 3.
Equity Step Backward and Forward
Goal:
To examine unearned privilege based on race, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, ability, etc.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to
• Recognize that privilege is unearned
• Recognize the diversity present within the group
• Explain different types of privileges
• Recognize the importance of not making assumptions
• Recognize how valuable diversity is to the campus
Equity Step Backward and Forward
Introduction:
It is important to create a safe environment, and
establish ground rules. If the group is unfamiliar, spend
time on introductions and ice breakers. Explain that
once the activity and discussion are over, while the
general activity may be discussed the specifics of the
activity, and specific details of participants responses
may not be discussed.
Model the activity:
http://www.d.umn.edu/ids/J
ust%20Us/Diversity%20Aw
areness%20Activity.pdf
Equity School Scavenger Hunt
Purpose:
• How to access and interpret demographic data about
schools
• How to compare schools
• How to look for equity issues in schools based on
published school data reports
Model the activity:
Four Corners Current Events
Purpose:
• Develop equity project topics
• Expand topic ideas
• Aid in constraining topic to a manageable scope
Model the activity:
Sharing Best Practices
Purpose:
Connecting classroom experiences related to equity and
diversity to field experiences
Sample Activity:
Sharing Best Practices
Sharing out:
What did you like and what would you like to
incorporate?
Are there any activities you would like to share with us?
Additional Resources
Purpose:
Develop a community for Classroom Interactions
instructors