​The Diverse Classroom
 
Generally, diversity can be best described as the similarities and differences amongst human beings. It is primarily about empowering people by respecting and appreciating what makes them similar or different.
 
 What does diversity look like in the classroom? From experience, I would say it present itself in many ways. Such as; different races, cultures, religions, various learning styles, distinctive personalities, various capabilities, disabilities, abilities, socio-economic status, gender and ethnicity.

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Who is responsible for ensuring diverse is embraced to full capacity in the classroom? The teacher of course is responsible for this huge and complex task, which is not easy to implement; however, it is fundamental.
 
Research have shown that, in order for all children to have outstanding academic experiences that embrace equality and diversity, the teacher have to take the time to understand each child has an individual and not just as a group. Tecahers have to remove all stereotypical thinking and practices to embrace diversity to full capacity. Adopting this mindset is the first step to establishing a diverse classroom. 
 
Why is diversity paramount in the classroom? When I look at my classroom, I see individuals who bless my classroom with a range of unique qualities, personalities, experiences, view, upbringing, like and dislikes, etc. As a teacher it is my duty to embraces all this beautiful distinctiveness that they bring into my classroom. I have to ensure these humans are proud of who they are regardless of their similarities or differences. This ensures that student learning process is maximised to enable them to achieve their full potential.  Consequently, it is important for students to feel a sense of belonging and valued in the classroom. 
 
 
While it is almost impossible to treat all children the same, due to their various abilities, capabilities and disabilities. Teachers have to rethink how they perceive the notion diversity. Various research carried out in the UK shows that children who feel excluded or not belonging to the classroom; there is a noticeable decreased in those children’s participation, engagement, behaviour and self-esteem. Therefore, creating an inclusive classroom environment is paramount to children’s learning and development. 

Makaton is a distinctive sign language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people with communication difficulties to communicate effectively.

Communicate is a fundamental aspect of human’s life. It is not only just a choice it is a law that everyone has the right communicate. (UNCRC 1948) Subsequently, Makaton is a language programme that can be adjusted to suit various communication needs. 

Imagine not being able to communicate simple needs such as, I am hot, I want more, I need the toilet or I am sad. Etc. Yes! It would be terrible. This is why Makaton is the perfect language programme for such unfortunate instances where children have difficulties communicating. 
Makaton can help all children (especially children with SEN) to development essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
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With Makaton, signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot or prefer not to sign.


Here are 11 Makaton signs you can use to greet other and reply to greetings


Good morning, Good afternoon, Goodbye, Hello , Yes, No, My name is , Thank you, Please , How are you and Ok 
 
For more about Makaton visit https://www.makaton.org/aboutMakaton/

​Cat-lovers will love this awesome picture-book about a cat call Ginger. Ginger was a happy cat how lived a comfy cosy life. A little girl who is her owner, feeds him delicious meals every day.
 
Ginger has a luxury basket in which he sleeps in all the time. What more could a cat ask for? But then one day the little girl brings home a mischievous grey kitten who annoys ginger every day. She jumps on Ginger, pull her tail, eat her food and sleeps in  gingers bed. Ginger had no peace.
 
 One day Ginger had enough and runs away. Then the little girl manages to bring him back home, providing separate food bowls, and separate beds. But will it work...? Read the story to find out more. 

Charlotte Voake's has three picture-books about cats: Ginger, Ginger Finds a Home and Ginger and the Mystery Visitor 

​No one captures cats better than Charlotte Voake! In this prequel to GINGER, a forlorn feline is coaxed inside by a little girl - and finds a new life as a beloved pet.

Once there was a little orange cat who was so scrawny that his tail was like a piece of string. ... The story is about an abandon ginger cat who was so skinny and scrawny with a long tail that was like a piece of string. He lived in a patch of weeds, and every night he had to search really hard for food to eat. One day, suddenly, everything changed he found a home and lived great life onwards. 

In this compassionate tale. Charlotte Voake’s went on to showing us a peep of the start of gingers new life after been found by a little girl. who earns his trust and took him home. Cat lovers would love this beautiful ending.

This is a beautiful story By Eileen Brown that will brings colours to children’s life. 

Handa, who's part of the Luo tribe in south-west Kenya. Handa decides to gather seven delicious fruits in a basket for her friend, Akeyo, who lives in a nearby village. But as Handa walk throw the safari towards Akeyo village she ponders, I wonder what fruit Akeyo will like best? 
 
In the meantime, as she was walking a series of seven sneaky animals steal the fruits one by one from Handa's basket, which she's carrying on her head... Handa does know she kept on walking. When Handa reaches Akeyo’s village, will she have anything left to offer her friend? The story is greatly illustrated, brimming with delicious fruit and naughty wild animals, this story is sure suitable for the very young readers. 
 
This story will leave children longing to tell Handa what was happening behind her and why she had such unexpected surprise!
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The story is about a Chicken, called Chicken Licken, who thought the sky was falling down; because, an acorn fell on her head while she was out one day. Chicken Licken decide she wanted to inform the king that the sky was falling down.
 
on her journey to tell the king, the writer introduces various characters along the way, such as, Henny Penny, Duck Luck and Goose Loose, who all decide to accompany Chicken Licken on her way to see the king.. The story ends when naughty Foxy Loxy leading them all into his foxes den and gobbles up Henny Penny, Duck Luck and Goose Loose. Chicken licken was very lucky she escaped.
 
The story is filled with rhymes and a touch of suspense
The book had some beautiful illustrations that the children will enjoy. The book is  really fun to read. 
 
The moral of the story is; "do not believe everything you are told". It could well be a cautionary political tale: The Chicken jumps to a conclusion and whips the populace into mass hysteria, which the unscrupulous fox uses to manipulate them for his own benefit.