What are the three strategies for building a culturally responsive classroom?
Culturally responsive teaching is a research-based approach that leverages students’ assets — their cultures, languages, and life experiences — to create rigorous, student-centered instruction. Show
To put culturally responsive teaching into practice, follow the ideas below. And remember, it’s OK to start small as you figure out what works for you and your students. Understood is partnering with Colorín Colorado, the nation’s leading website providing research-based resources for educators and families of English language learners. opens in a new tabIdentify students’ assets.Student strengthsReflect on your students’ strengths and whether you’ve considered them as strengths before. Ask yourself:
Student interestsFinding out your students’ interests is a great way to build relationships. Their interests can also help guide your instruction. You can collect this information through:
Funds of knowledgeAll students bring funds of knowledge to the classroom. That includes their own background knowledge, experiences, and skills needed to navigate their day.
Culture and cultural valuesYou don’t need to become an expert on all cultural groups and languages. But you do need to understand your students’ cultural identities to build a positive classroom culture and create relevant learning opportunities. Learn about your students’ cultures, whether that’s a country on the other side of the globe or a neighborhood down the street. It’s also important to think about how your own culture impacts your teaching practices. This reflection can help you develop a mindset that strengthens relationships with all students, including those whose backgrounds are different from yours.
LanguageAll students bring language assets and skills to the classroom. They may also have different styles of interaction and communication.
Learn about the language skills students bring to the classroom. For example, English language learners (ELLs) have bilingual skills that are often overlooked when they are evaluated only for their mastery of English. Some African American students regularly switch between dialects, known as code-switching. This skill requires high levels of linguistic, social, cultural, and cognitive ability, but it often goes unnoticed. Talk about how this skill can help students navigate contexts in and out of school. Support them in using language that’s appropriate to each context. Create a supportive classroom environment.Develop authentic, caring relationships. Relationships establish trust and respect — crucial ingredients for learning.
Create a welcoming classroom. Think about whether your classroom sends a message that students are welcome and that great things are possible for their learning.
Examine the curriculum.Look for ways to increase and support rigor. Raising expectations is an important part of increasing academic achievement.
Continue your own learning.Explore resources to deepen your own understanding. Culturally responsive teaching is a chance to reflect on your personal perspective. You can also use a culturally responsive lens to learn about the broader forces that shape the lives of students.
See culturally responsive teaching in action.Watch this video clip from Edutopia. Think about these questions as you watch:
Culturally responsive teaching is a shift in mindset that will not happen overnight. It requires a willingness to learn, be vulnerable, be flexible with instruction, and reflect. The path to culturally responsive teaching is a journey, but with practice and patience, it will benefit you and all of your students. Lydia Breiseth (director of Colorín Colorado), Shivohn García, PhD (senior director of the Impact team at Understood), and Shaquala Butler (Understood Teacher Fellow) contributed to this article. Related topics
Tell us what interests youSee your recommendations ShareAbout the authorAbout the authorEducators Team at Understood is made up of passionate writers, editors, educators, and subject matter experts who have worked in classrooms and with students who learn and think differently. What are 3 characteristics of culturally responsive teaching?So, what are the characteristics of culturally responsive teaching?. A strong knowledge base about cultural diversity. ... . Culturally relevant curricula. ... . High expectations for all students. ... . An appreciation for different communication styles. ... . The use of multicultural instructional examples.. What are the 3 teaching strategies?It is helpful to think of teaching styles according to the three Ds: Directing, Discussing, and Delegating.. The directing style promotes learning through listening and following directions. ... . The discussing style promotes learning through interaction. ... . The delegating style promotes learning through empowerment.. What are the strategies to create culturally responsive learning environment?Here are three ways to create a culturally responsive classroom:. Learn about students' cultures. Understanding students' cultural backgrounds and experiences is the key to culturally responsive teaching. ... . Embrace an asset-based mindset. Reflect on students' individual strengths. ... . Create a student-centered classroom.. What are the 3 key concepts of culturally relevant pedagogy?CRP, a pedagogical framework coined by Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings in the early '90s, rests on three fundamental pillars—academic achievement, cultural competence, and sociopolitical consciousness.
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