Creating Culturally Responsive, Inclusive Classrooms
Use a Range of Culturally Sensitive Instructional Methods and Materials- Teachers need to use different methods that fit the setting, subject, and the student to provide he most effective instruction
- Explicit, Strategic Instruction: This strategy allows students to learn how to ask questions about the meaning of the content being read.
- Interdisciplinary Units: This method combines learning content with language arts and culturally diverse literature. Students can make connections through text and previous topics learned.
- Instructional Scaffolding: Teachers look at what a student can do on their own, and what they can do with instructional support and determine a strategy for the child to have enough support that they can accomplish more than they'd be able to on their own. Over time the supports won't be needed and the student will be able to do more difficult tasks.
- Journal Writing: Using journal styled writing allows the students to share their personal understanding of the content and make connections to their own lives.
- Open-Ended Projects: These are projects in which the students can choose the specific form whether its a journal, a picture, a presentation or anything to represent the information. This also includes students picking their own topics.
Establish a Classroom Atmosphere That Respects Individuals and Their Cultures- Creating a learning environment for students that is culturally inclusive can enhance their self esteem. Strategies include:
- Current and relevant bulletin boards
- A book corner with culturally diverse literature
- Cross-cultural literature discussion
- Language arts and social studies programs
Foster an Interactive Classroom Learning Environment- Allow students to interact with each other while solving problems and completing tasks. Suggested activities include:
- Cooperative learning groups
- Guided group discussions
- Using the internet
Employ ongoing and culturally awareness assessments- This offers insight on what to teach and how to teach. Examples include:
- Daily observation of students’ social and learning behaviors in all situations
- Portfolio assessment
- Teacher-made tests that are closely tied to the instructional program
- Student self-assessment
- Teacher self-evaluation
Collaborate with Other Professionals and Families- Establishing relationships with colleagues and families helps develop programs and methods of teaching to benefit each student. Ways to achieve this include:
- Share ideas regularly with other teachers with whom students work
- Communicate regularly with families.
- Invite families to participate in classroom cultural celebrations and to assist in planning
- Initiate a parent volunteer tutorial program
- Use culturally diverse community resources
- Attend culturally diverse community or neighborhood events
Application: As a future educator I would make sure to use many of the strategies suggested in this article. I would make sure the curriculum and materials provided were culturally sensitive. I think the most important tip from this article is collaborating with other professionals and families. As a teacher I will make sure to always include other professionals involved and especially families of the students. I believe that well developed relationships between teachers and families can have extremely positive outcomes for the success of the students.