Census data shows that the United States of America is one of the most diverse nations in the world. Accordingly, U.S. schools are also very diverse. To meet the challenges of a diverse classroom, teachers must create a classroom culture where everyone is welcomed and supported. Instructional methods must also be adapted to ensure that every child is given the best opportunities to learn.
This year I joined a very diverse school and was nervous that my usual teaching methods would not lead to success for some students. After researching how to be a culturally responsive instructor and teaching in a diverse community, I learned that there are many things to consider, but that good teachers do these things without realizing it. This is a great blog written by a veteran teacher offering some suggestions -http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com/2007/09/diverse-learners-in-one-setting.html.
Basically there are a few things to keep in mind when teaching culturally diverse learners. These may be no-brainers to most teachers with experience, but research indicates that children from various backgrounds still fail in schools because teachers are not accommodating enough.
-Involve Parents. Before the year even begins, send a letter to each child introducing yourself as their teacher and include a brief description of the upcoming school year. Throughout the year invite parents to visit the classroom and be involved in the school community whenever possible.
-Set High Standards for All Learners. At the beginning of the year explain to students what is expected of them and how they can be successful. Throughout the year have students evaluate their performance and help them determine if they are meeting expectations.
-Become Knowledgeable of Other Cultures. In order to support multicultural students it is the teacher's job to have some understanding of the various cultures represented. Acknowledging holidays and customs and using texts with characters of similar ethnic backgrounds may allow students to feel more comfortable in the classroom environment.
-Give Students Choice. Students must be allowed to have some options when it comes to literature and classroom projects. This is also useful for sparking interest and motivation.
-Acknowledge Students Differences and Similarities. Addressing the individual needs of every child and identifying strengths and weaknesses is key in any classroom. Having discussions about the importance of diversity and how everyone in the world is different will make children more accepting. Let students share their experiences and listen to others’ experiences.
-Utilize a Variety of Teaching Methods and Learning Styles. When teaching a lesson make sure to incorporate various models and mix up instructional styles. Also change up the structure of the lesson and let students work in small groups and partners frequently.
For more information and suggestions on specific activities for culturally responsive instruction check out: http://www.alliance.brown.edu/tdl/
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Your points in your posting are right on point.Because our classrooms are likely to be composed of culturally diverse students, it is important we are equipped with the knowledge and know how in order to help our students. The one point of setting high standards for all learners is especially necessary because we want to make sure our students are given the same standards of achievement. It is the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI think that understanding who your students are and where they come from is extremely important to the success of your teaching. Although I do not teach in a diverse school, with our population being 100% African American, I defiantly needed to acquaint myself to the culture before I became an effective teacher. As a first year teacher, growing up in an all white suburb in MI and student teaching in an affluent all white middle school, I was not prepared to handle my first year of teaching in Englewood. I did not know anything about my student’s culture, daily life, struggles, family, religion, etc… For lack of a better phrase, for the first half of the year my kids gave me hell, acting out, rude comments, discipline problems constantly, fights in the class. As the year progressed, and I got to know and understand my students the climate in my classroom did a 180 degree turn. I altered my lessons, changed my attitude and tone that I used with my students and set clear boundaries and firmly stuck to them. My classroom had turned into a place that I was full of learning, respect and order. I do attribute 99.9 % of this change to the fact that I took the time to understand the culture and background of my kids.
ReplyDeleteA great article that I found on this topic is: Teaching Teachers How to Connect With Urban Students
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13886-2004Jul25.html
I appreciate your entry about being culturally responsive, as I feel it's a HUGE issue, especially in urban education and you've started to 'hit the nail on the head" with this entry! Speaking of, I completely agree with your suggestion to "give students choice". I think that is one of the first steps to respecting individual needs of our students is to give them some sort of control over things, large and small.
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