Multicultural Novels and Activities: An English and Language Arts Curriculum for Middle and High School Students in the Yakima Valley

Research in the area of education concludes that both white and underserved populations benefit from the use of multicultural education. The curriculum provided in this project is founded on the research findings of educational specialists who outline these benefits. The use of multicultural education as a way to connect students to the curriculum is crucial in providing all students with an equal opportunity to learn. The Yakima Valley in Washington State is home to a number of Hispanic and Native American students who reflect a lack of academic achievement on standardized tests that assess literacy. Theories and strategies for teaching these populations were studied and the activities and novels included in this curriculum reflect the needs and interests of these populations