CH 2: Mixed Cultures

In our text book, The Joy of Children's Literature, the chapter describes the difference of the United States being now compared to as a Salad Bowl, whereas it used to be called the Melting Pot. It all has to do with the varieties of cultures that are present throughout the country. As teachers, we need to welcome these cultures with open arms, and embrace the diversity in your classroom. When you have students in your classroom who have different backgrounds you can utilize that and turn it into a discussion, and relate their cultures to information that they have read in the text or in regular books. When the United States was thought of as a melting pot it is said that all the different cultures combined, and therefore melted into one. Now, being known as the Salad Bowl, people say that all of the cultures come together as one "main dish" but still maintain their individuality. This seems like a much better way to be thought about. It is always great for people to always remember their roots, while still embracing new cultures.