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Join the community while the county hosts a launch of its new anti-bullying prevention program. We stand together to prevent any bullying behavior in every school.

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Ways to help with inclusion and diversity.

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Ways to help with inclusion and diversity.

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The Programs and Collaborations provided by BCS to the community and staff are listed. Becoming a PASS volunteer, equity and inclusion liaison, and how to join the Diversity Council. Make your voice heard.

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Looking for ways to academically help your student, the Boys and Girls Club collaborates with host schools in the county to provide after-school tutoring and support along with social and emotional development and inclusion in our schools.

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High-Yield Activities for Academic Success

Project Learn reinforces the academic enrichment and school engagement of young people during the time they spend at the Club.

Students do much better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, but academically beneficial, activities. Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for these high-yield learning activities, including leisure reading, writing activities, discussions with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help, tutoring and games that develop young people's cognitive skills. Project Learn also emphasizes parent involvement as well as collaboration between Club and school professionals.
View All Programs →

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High-Yield Activities for Academic Success Students do much better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, but academically beneficial, activities. Through Project Learn, Club staff use all the areas and programs in the Club to create opportunities for these high-yield learning activities, including leisure reading, writing activities, discussions with knowledgeable adults, helping others, homework help, tutoring and games that develop young people's cognitive skills.

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Consider planning and coordinating a multicultural event in your school. Include cultures from a diverse group of students to help them feel included in your school.

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Engaging Students through School-wide Cultural Events | Blog | ParticipateEngaging Students through School-wide Cultural Events | Blog | Participate

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Cultural events are a great way to share a global education experience with parents, teachers, and students at your school. Get tips for hosting one here.

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Students prepare for their parents and community members to see their art displayed throughout the school in various art forms. Different schools throughout the county host these events for their students to allow the community to come in and view their hard work while supporting the arts at Berkeley County Schools.

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Back Creek Valley Elementary hosts an art show for students

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By Ainsley Hall HEDGESVILLE - Back Creek Valley Elementary School hosted an art show on Monday, ...

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Encourage your students to share and open up about all of the ways they are different. This video shares how one teacher embraces all the ways their students are different.

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Teaching Young Children in Multicultural Classrooms - Video | Study.com

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Aiding cohesion in multicultural classrooms starts with celebrating the presence of different cultures and the new things that they bring to the…

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For older students, this would be a good resource to review back as you are focusing on the different cultures of your classroom.

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One of the best ways to create a culturally supportive and sensitive atmosphere is by providing learning opportunities that embrace the variety of students represented. Welcoming different backgrounds in the classroom strengthens feelings of inclusion. Reaching out to the families of our students can further encourage participation in activities and help teach and enrich others' multicultural knowledge.

One great way to get families engaged in what's going on in school is to simply invite them to participate. When topics are about celebrating families and their students, they won't want to say no.

SchoolStatus Connect helps schools encourage stronger engagements with families via a centralized communication hub for all channels-SMS, portal, email, and phone. With this accessible technology, it is easy to contact all members of the school community through automatically translated messaging. Communicating in the families' preferred language is already an invitation to have a place--and a voice--to be represented in your classroom celebrations. SchoolStatus Connect's digital newsletters--translated into over 100+ languages--can broadcast your events and classroom activities.

Here are 7 engaging activities for students, their families, teachers, and districts to help educate about cultural diversity.

1. Create a Mini-Heritage Documentary

Students can create a mini-documentary highlighting their cultural heritage. Through a blend of technology and interviewing skills, students can produce a film of up to five minutes filled with:

Images of relatives

Interviews from family members that include: traditional garb, music, dances, and customs

Background of the area of the world they came from

These short films teach the class about their peers' lives, how they relate to their own families, and how heritage shapes perspectives and behaviors.

2. Enjoy a Multicultural Classroom Celebration

Take the idea of a traditional class party and mix it with students' unique cultures. Celebrations can include students bringing three items (one of them being food, of course) to represent and share their heritage.

Coordinating events with families is easy with SchoolStatus Connect. Create an event, add your list of needed items, and ask families to RSVP.

Students can prepare a description of their items to share aloud and explain the connections to their heritage. For example, a student speaking on their Mexican culture might share a sugar skull to honor Día de Los Muertos where families pay tribute to their loved ones who've passed away.

As students take turns sharing, fellow students can ask questions of their peers and engage with the families too!

3. Take a Virtual Multicultural Classroom Field-trip

Field-trips are always an excellent way for students to experience multiculturalism. However, the chances of an entire classroom hopping on a bus (or a plane) to travel long distances may not be realistic. Why not take a virtual field trip instead!

There are plenty of online resources where students can visit another place and learn about its culture, customs, and traditions. School computers and libraries give students the ability to select any country of their choice and tour its museums, schools, places of worship, monuments, and so on. After they've virtually "visited," they can report their observations in a slide presentation or oral report to the class. If classrooms have recordings or highlights to share from these reports, they can be circulated throughout the larger school community in SchoolStatus Connect's Newsletters.

4. Host Multicultural Classroom Guest Speakers

While it's relatively common for schools to bring in speakers from various industries and careers to inspire students or share important messages, the same notion can be extended to educating about multiculturalism.

Select a panel of speakers from different cultures for a fun way to gain insight into diverse ethnicities, customs, and traditions.

Ask students' family members to guest speak! Everyone can learn about the cultures of their classmates, and families can become directly involved in their student's school community.

5. Encourage Playful Participation

The language of play transcends across all nations, regardless of one's native tongue. Why not invite families into the classroom to teach games from their home countries?

For example, Kongki Noli is a popular Korean game like American Jacks. In the Philippines, Tinikling is similar to double-dutch jump roping, but with the use of bamboo poles instead.

Tips for learning these games can be shared through SchoolStatus Connect communications. Have the students write a brief explanation of the game. Then, why not circulate it in both English and the original language!

6. Holidays Around the World

A festive way to educate students is to observe traditional holidays from around the world. Each student can create a presentation that includes how their own home country--or the countries of their families--celebrate a particular holiday.

Students can share celebratory experiences they've had. If they haven't had the opportunity to partake in one yet, they can interview family members or conduct online research. Each student's presentation can include things such as holiday decorations, games, songs, and special foods that are enjoyed during these celebrations.

7. International Potluck

Food always brings people together. What better way to gather the masses than by hosting an international potluck? Each family can prepare a dish that is culturally significant for them. Students can create the table tent cards and write down the name of the dish, its main ingredients, and where it comes from.

To enhance the ambiance, ask students for 2-3 songs or instrumentals from their family's country, load them all on a playlist, and fill the air with sounds of home. A tasty way to bring food, culture, and people together.

Teaching across cultures

Our classrooms should be celebrated for their diversity. It is important to teach students about cultures, traditions, foods, games, and overall knowledge that they may otherwise not experience on their own. When you incorporate any of these ideas into your teaching repertoire, not only does it expand your students' cultural awareness, but families benefit from the inclusion and representation. It's a win-win for all.

You can gather and share documentation of these events, share videos, recipes, game rules--everything!--on SchoolStatus Connect so that all students and families have something to remember.

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7 Ways to Celebrate Your Multicultural Classroom - SchoolStatus

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Ways to celebrate and support diversity by involving students and their families to create an inclusive learning atmosphere and community.

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Ways to implement multicultural education.

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Ways to implement multicultural education.

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Find different and unique ways to implement multicultural education in your classroom.

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Multicultural education prepares students to fulfill their responsibilities as citizens in an interconnected global society. Schools have a significant role in developing values in their students that affirm cultural differences and promote democratic ideals. By implementing multicultural education practices, teachers can help all students develop a positive self-concept and attain the highest levels of academic achievement. ¹

Many people cite the Immigration Act of 1965 as the major policy initiative that opened the way for new waves of immigrants and unleashed concerns about a decaying national community. However, a quick review of history shows that multicultural ideals have been present since the founding of our country. From Moroccan Muslims in Revolutionary South Carolina to Filipino Americans who fought in the War of 1812, multiculturalism has been a persistent reality throughout American history. ²

Though schools have always been filled with learners of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures, diversity in classrooms is increasing faster than ever. In 2019, for the first time, more than half of the US population under age 16 identified as a racial or ethnic minority. ³

Teachers can promote cultural competence, celebrate global perspectives, and create inclusive classrooms and inclusive learning environments by embracing multicultural education. However, multicultural ideals aren't possible without social justice in education. Teachers must also address issues of racism, sexism, ableism, religious intolerance, and other forms of prejudice.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of multicultural education and effective implementation strategies.

Implementing multicultural education

The core of multicultural education is thinking about how your lessons resonate with all of your students. When you understand that your students have a cultural filter that colors how they process information, you can develop strategies to incorporate that perspective into your classroom practices. ⁴ This approach of incorporating students' cultural identities into your lessons and classroom is often called "culturally responsive teaching." ⁵

Multicultural education teaching strategy: Know your students

Understanding your students, including their backgrounds and challenges, is the first step in inclusive teaching. Spend the first few class meetings getting to know your students. You can do surveys or interviews and ask questions about your students' likes, dislikes, interests, and responsibilities outside of school. With older students, you can explore social justice in education by asking about racial incidents they've experienced inside and outside of school. ⁶

Culturally responsive teaching strategy: Examine your biases

No matter how hard you try to be objective, your beliefs, values, and predispositions affect how you relate to your students. Left unexamined, these biases can reinforce stereotypes and negative school environments. Hidden biases can lead to lower classroom expectations for students of color and girls in STEM subjects, as shown in studies published in The Journal of School Psychology and Developmental Psychology. 7,8,9

You can take hidden bias tests to measure your unconscious or automatic biases. Even people who are committed to social justice can have hidden negative stereotypes and prejudices. Uncovering these attitudes is the first step to changing them and building your cross-cultural understanding. You may not be able to avoid automatic prejudice, but it is possible to work to consciously rectify it. ¹⁰

Culturally responsive teaching strategy: Celebrate diverse holidays

When you only celebrate mainstream holidays, you show your students that those holidays are the only ones that matter to you. Inclusive holiday planning is a fun, effective way to create a strong community, encourage global perspectives, and show your students you value all of them.

Use a diversity calendar to bring celebrations from different countries and cultures into your classroom. Take time to discuss the holidays with your students, including exploring how different cultures celebrate the same holiday. ¹¹

Culturally responsive teaching strategy: Create an inclusive classroom

A culturally responsive classroom helps all students access rigorous instruction and develop high-level academic skills by connecting their cultures, life experiences, and languages with what they learn in school.

Make your classroom more culturally responsive by: ¹²

Building a positive environment: Set the stage by establishing a nurturing environment where students feel welcome, safe, and respected. Greeting students at the door is an easy way to let them know you're glad to see them.

Reflecting your students in their learning: Many new curricula are designed to be more inclusive. However, if you have to use one that isn't, you can adapt it. Bring in books, music, and other learning materials that represent many different cultures.

Setting high expectations for all students: You should expect all of your students to achieve academic success. Help students set and meet goals through differentiation and scaffolding to close learning gaps.

The benefits of multicultural education

Multicultural pedagogy incorporates students' cultural knowledge and experiences to create more equitable learning opportunities. Such culturally responsive teaching can have positive effects on student outcomes. ¹³

Classroom communities that support students from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds experience the following benefits:

Equity and inclusion benefit: Increased empathy

Intercultural communication and experiences, such as having students discuss current events from around the world or hosting an international food day, promote cultural awareness and increase student empathy. Learners who understand and appreciate diversity in their peers can employ critical thinking skills and offer empathy with solving problems with others. ¹⁴

Equity and inclusion benefit: Reduced achievement Gap

Traditional school constructs perpetuate and maintain achievement gaps among minority students. Equity and inclusion in the classroom reduce achievement gaps by focusing on student achievement and engagement.

Culturally responsive pedagogy increases student achievement and sense of belonging and improves student behavior, according to a review of studies published in The Journal of Education and Learning. One study mentioned that when teachers used real-life examples, photos, and videos that related to students' cultural heritage, students became more comfortable in school and related to their peers better. ¹⁵

Cultural competence benefit: Improved critical thinking skills

According to a study in The Journal of Education and e-Learning Research, students experienced significant gains in social attitudes and critical thinking skills when presented with problems that relate to real-life situations students in the classroom might face.

Students then discussed and problem-solved around a discussion that emphasized human rights, unity, social justice, and democracy. Students could examine and analyze problems and suggest solutions by separating empirical data from unsupported opinions. ¹⁶

Understanding cultural diversity in modern classrooms

Today, classrooms across the country and around the world are becoming increasingly diverse, representing a rich tapestry of cultural backgrounds. As educators, we have the responsibility to understand and appreciate this diversity, ensuring that every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Embracing the power of diverse students

By recognizing and valuing the strengths and contributions of diverse students, schools can cultivate an environment where everyone thrives. Students from diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives, stories, and experiences to the classroom, enriching the learning experience for all.

Challenging cultural biases and stereotypes

It's essential to continuously reflect on our own cultural beliefs and identify any unintentional biases. By doing so, we can create a classroom environment that promotes cultural understanding and challenges stereotypes, allowing students to share their cultural traditions and histories.

Culturally responsive teaching strategies

Incorporating culturally responsive teaching strategies is more than just a trend; it's a necessity. As our classrooms become more diverse, educators need to adjust their teaching practices to be inclusive of all students.

Diverse literature in the classroom

Introduce diverse literature into the curriculum. Exposing students to stories from different cultures allows them to see the world through various lenses and gain a better understanding of other cultures. This promotes cultural awareness and encourages students to value the rich tapestry of global narratives.

The role of classroom activities

Engaging classroom activities, designed keeping in mind the diverse backgrounds of students, foster a sense of belonging. Activities that cater to different learning styles and incorporate students' cultural backgrounds encourage active participation and deepen understanding.

Collaborating with families, caregivers, and communities

To truly implement multicultural education in schools, educators must extend their efforts beyond the classroom walls.

Engaging family members and caregivers in education

Family members and caregivers, especially from diverse cultures, can be invaluable resources. By involving families and caregivers, we gain insights into students' backgrounds, which can guide teaching strategies and classroom activities. This collaboration promotes a sense of community and helps students see the direct relevance of what they're learning.

Leveraging community resources

From local cultural centers to speakers who represent various ethnic groups, the community is a treasure trove of resources that can enhance multiculturalism in the classroom. These partnerships not only enrich the curriculum but also help students connect their learning to the real world.

Overcoming challenges in multicultural education

Despite its numerous benefits, implementing multicultural education isn't without challenges. Whether it's resistance from certain quarters or the status quo of an established educational system, educators must be proactive in navigating these challenges.

Overcoming resource limitations

While many educators are eager to implement multicultural classroom strategies, they might face constraints such as limited access to relevant resources. Collaboration with colleagues and tapping into digital resources can provide a wider range of materials that reflect diverse perspectives.

In conclusion, as the world becomes more interconnected, the importance of cultural diversity in education cannot be overstated. Schools that embrace this shift and invest in multicultural education are not only preparing students to thrive in a diverse world but are also shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Charting a path toward a culturally cohesive future

In the evolving tapestry of education, envisioning a future centered around multicultural inclusivity and understanding is paramount. Our classrooms are the crucibles where this transformation begins, molding the next generation.

Cultivating culturally aware global citizens

With a deep appreciation for each student's identity and cultural background, educators have the power to shape culturally aware individuals. Every student's diverse experiences and perspectives are invaluable. By celebrating these differences and encouraging students to explore other cultures, we not only enrich their academic journey but also pave the way for them to become inclusive adults in a diverse world.

The imperative of celebrating diversity

The richness of our global community is reflected in the diverse range of stories, traditions, and histories present in our classrooms. Encouraging students to challenge and expand their own perspectives and to understand their peers' diverse experiences is foundational. As educators, our role is to promote multiculturalism, ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and empowered, ready to celebrate diversity and contribute positively to an interconnected world.

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With the most up-to-date curriculum, interactive learning opportunities, and highly qualified faculty, you'll be equipped to shape the future of education. Contact an admissions outreach advisor today to learn more.

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Multicultural Education in Today's Classrooms

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Explore the importance of multicultural education and its benefits for students of all ages. Earn your KU education master's degree online.

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Its the most wonderful time of the year, but how do other countries and people around the world celebrate? Find out by clicking on different countries on the map to investigate cultures, traditions and celebrations all around the world.

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Christmas around the World on whychristmas?com

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Find out how Christmas is celebrated Around the World in lots of different Countries, Traditions and Cultures.

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Positive classroom environment from the start

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Positive classroom environment from the start

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Read an article and watch a short video about how to set up a positive classroom culture.

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Having a positive classroom culture is one of the most important elements of a successful learning environment and thus teachers should actively work towards creating a classroom culture that encourages participation and student success.

The Wingspread Declaration on school connections states that students have more likelihood of success when they feel connected to school. When students feel that adults in the school care about them as people as well as their learning they are more likely to feel connected.

The Declaration, based on a review of research and extensive discussion, found that for this to occur, a school must provide high expectations combined with high levels of support, a focus on positive teacher-student relationships and physical and emotional safety.

When students are connected, academic performance improves, violent and destructive incidents reduce, school attendance improves and more students complete their schooling.

There is strong scientific evidence to show that feeling connected to school is a protective factor for students against disruptive and violent behaviour, mental health issues, disengagement from school, drug use and early sexual experiences.
Prefer to watch a video? Click below
Here Are 6 Ways To Build A Positive Classroom Climate So Your Students Feel Connected To School

1. Have High Expectations For Your Students

Have high expectations for your students, for their work and their behaviour. Expect that your students will do well and encourage them by letting them know that you believe in them. Provide appropriate learning support for all students.

Take a closer look at high expectations with What Does It Mean To Have High Expectations

2. Set Up Behaviour Management Processes

Behaviour management processes in your classroom should be fair and consistent, which means they are agreed upon and understood by the students. Teach students the behaviour you expect, give them opportunities to practice and use positive reinforcement.

For practical ways to do this take a look at our post, Set Up To Win The Game.

3. Focus On Building Positive Relationships

Relationships with students is a major key to positive learning outcomes for students and school culture.

Allocate time and energy to listening to your students, getting to know them and letting them get to know you. The magic ratio for positive relationships according to John Gottman the relationship expert is 5 positive interactions: 1 negative. Not sure how to do this?

Check out one of our teaching resources on Building Positive Relationships

4. Use Effective, Evidence-Based Teaching And Learning Practices

Be prepared for your classes by considering your students and how they best learn. Provide relevant and engaging curriculum, presented in interesting and student-centred ways.

The literature review Building Resilience in Children and Young People from Helen Cahill et al, states that school connectedness contributes to positive mental health outcomes for students. The pedagogical characteristics of schools that demonstrate effective connectedness are the use of cooperative learning strategies, hands-on activities and variety of instruction.

Another popular resource of interest is How To Promote Resilience In Your Students

5. Foster Positive Relationships With Parents

Postive relationships with parents is important for many reasons. However, here I refer specifically to encourage them to share your high expectations for their children, so you can work as a team to educate. Remember, parents are their children's first teachers.

Learn more here about How To Build Relationships Wit h Parents.

6. Encourage Positive Relationships Between Students

Model the behaviour you want to see in the way students treat each other. Use respectful language and demand a high standard of relating to one another in the classroom. Explicitly teach students social skills and give them plenty of opportunities to practice.

Read how to do this effectively; How To Run Successful Group Work

And read here for 3 steps to create a positive class culture.
Ask us about how we can help you build a positive culture in your school.

What are your favourite ways to foster a positive classroom culture?

This post is featured by Twinkl in their ' Behaviour Management in the Classroom ' blog

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6 ways to build a positive classroom culture

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6 Ways To Build A Positive Classroom Culture

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Having a positive classroom culture is one of the most important elements of a successful learning environment and thus teachers should actively work towards creating a classroom culture that encourages participation and student success.

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Community building ideas for a diverse classroom to foster inclusive behavior. 

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Community building ideas for a diverse classroom to foster inclusive behavior. 

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No matter what grade level you teach, there are ideas here to help teachers include students' cultural backgrounds and diversity to help every child feel like they belong.

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Strategies for ensuring that students in every grade feel like they’re part of the classroom community.

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Watch ways to foster a safe and supportive learning environment. 

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Watch ways to foster a safe and supportive learning environment. 

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Listen to the board members, school admin, and teachers explain how and why it is important to foster a safe and supportive school environment.

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SEL: Creating Safe & Supportive Learning Environments

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Share this read-a-loud about diversity with your students to help explain how we are all different and unique. 

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Share this read-a-loud about diversity with your students to help explain how we are all different and unique. 

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A book about how children are all differen and read on their own level with rhyming words and bright colors. It points out how every person is different, not just by the color of their skin.

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Kids book read aloud: Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger by Elizabeth Cole

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Read about four different approaches to integrating history and how to share it with students

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Read about four different approaches to integrating history and how to share it with students

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Read different ways to share the history of our country. "The history of the United States is a complicated, messy, multicultural affair, not the static subject taught in a classroom" (Brooks, 2023)

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Integrating Multicultural Content - The Consortium for Public Education

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As we approach Martin Luther King Day (January 15th), it is important to reflect on how we share our country’s history with our students. Frequently, a few days (maybe even only a lesson) are spent celebrating the accomplishments of a person or the historical impacts of an event. The information that is shared is factual (Mostly. This was a hard lesson I had to learn in recent years.) in nature, generic, and tends to be told linearly. We do not always ask our students to think critically about history: most importantly how what happened in the past is directly related to what is happening in the present. The history of the United States is a complicated, messy, multicultural affair, not the static subject taught in a classroom. New evidence and interpretations are being brought forth all the time, which changes the meaning and impact in our present time, and our students should be given the opportunity to struggle to understand this history, much like they struggle to learn the relevance of atomic theory or a world language.

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Teach your students to count to ten in different languages using one video. 

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Teach your students to count to ten in different languages using one video. 

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Use videos like this to learn different languages. Counting to 10 in multiple languages can open the kids up to different cultures.

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The Wiggles - Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes

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Learn to Count in 10 Languages 🔢 Counting for Kids in English, French, Mandarin, Spanish and more!

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How to create a fun learning environment centered around acceptance.

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It doesn't take an expert to tell you that your students are each different and unique. They come to the classroom with diverse backgrounds, including their cultures, ethnicities, religions, languages, and economic statuses. They have different opinions about politics and pop culture as well as different learning styles and levels of motivation.

As their teacher, you have the opportunity to create a special place where each student feels like he or she belongs. One of the ways you can foster that sense of belonging is by celebrating cultural diversity in the classroom. Whether your students are new to this country or their families have been here for generations, they will enjoy the opportunity to dig into their backgrounds and share information about their cultures.

That said, some students may not recognize their unique cultures. Be sure to point out that every family has things that make it special: traditions, family size or composition, or even activities they enjoy together.

The Benefits of Celebrating Diversity in the Classroom

Implementing diversity activities in the classroom does much more than provide entertainment! The more your students know about other cultures, the better their understanding of the world around them. Let's take a deeper look at the many benefits of celebrating diversity in the classroom.

Academic

A culturally diverse classroom helps students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Encountering new and different ideas and perspectives makes students evaluate their viewpoints. Through group and partner work, students learn to respect their classmates' differences. Plus, they will likely find things they have in common with each other.

Furthermore, students from diverse classrooms and schools tend to do better academically. Studies show that these students tend to score higher on achievement tests, drop out of school less often, and enroll in college more often.

Social

Students become more empathetic when they encounter other cultures regularly. They're less likely to develop biases and prejudices and more likely to be open to new thoughts, ideas, and opinions as they continue their education.

Planning activities to promote diversity in the classroom helps all students develop their leadership skills and become more self-confident. In addition, your students will have opportunities to develop relationships with people who look, think, act, and speak differently from them.

Future Benefits

All teachers, even in elementary classrooms, are preparing their students to head out into the world. When you prioritize exploring cultural diversity in the classroom, you open them up to a world that's far bigger than their hometown.

Many companies want employees who are comfortable interacting with diverse individuals. When students have the opportunity to encounter other cultures from a young age, they're better prepared to enter the global community as an adult.

Top 11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity in the Classroom

By celebrating the diversity within your classroom, you can enrich your students' learning experiences and help them expand their social circles. You will probably even benefit yourself in the process! There are many ways to incorporate diversity activities in the classroom. Here are some activities to promote diversity in your classroom.

1. Holiday Celebrations

Create a calendar that highlights celebrations around the world. Choose ones that represent the cultures of the students in your class. When a holiday comes up, take some time to discuss what it's about and find simple ways to celebrate, such as:

Making a relevant craft

Serving a treat from that culture

Reading a book associated with the holiday

Similarly, you can explore how different cultures celebrate the same holiday. For example, Christmas is celebrated in many cultures, but those celebrations can look very different. As major holidays in the U.S. approach, have your students share their favorite family traditions for those holidays.

Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday. Each family represented in your classroom probably celebrates this holiday with its own flair. Invite your students to each share about a Thanksgiving tradition in their family. It may be a special food they eat, a game they play, or a movie they watch. Ask them if they know how this tradition started and what it means to them.

If possible, you could also consider hosting a classroom Thanksgiving meal. Ask students to bring a special dish that their family always eats on Thanksgiving. Have students provide the recipe for their dish, and turn the recipes into a classroom multicultural Thanksgiving cookbook.

2. Music and Art

Another way to promote diversity in the classroom is to partner with the music and art teachers in your school to dive into the music and art of the cultures represented by your students.

Talk about composers, musicians, and singers from each culture. Listen to samples of music, and talk about the similarities and differences your students hear. If there are instruments that are unique to a culture, show pictures of them to your students. Better yet, find the actual instruments for students to see firsthand.

You can also teach students simple folk songs from different cultures. Young students will especially enjoy learning fun songs. Find videos online of other people singing them, but be sure to check that the lyrics are age-appropriate for your students.

Talk about artists and art styles from your students' cultures. Have students make a piece of art in the style of each culture, then display them in your classroom as part of a multicultural bulletin board.

3. Multicultural Library

Another way to promote cultural diversity in the classroom is to build a library that includes books with characters who live in or come from other countries. Include books written by a diverse array of authors as well. Be sure to include age-appropriate biographies of people from a wide variety of cultures.

4. Guest Speakers and Interviews

You can read extensively about another culture, but nothing tops getting information directly from the source. Invite people from different cultures to speak to your class either in person or virtually. By using video conferencing technology, your class can connect with people around your town, state, country, and even across the world!

Have your students prepare questions ahead of time to ask the speaker. Look for people who represent a wide array of life experiences, such as first-generation immigrants, multilingual people, and refugees. An easy place to start is with your students' parents, grandparents, or older siblings.

You can also have your students conduct interviews with someone from a different culture than their own. This could include other students in your class, school staff, neighbors, or friends. Then, allow students to share something they learned from this person with the class.

5. Show and Tell

Ask students to bring in something from home that represents their culture. Then, have them present the item to the class and explain why it's important to them. Have two or three students present each week throughout the school year. Be sure to remind students to ask permission from a parent or guardian before bringing an item to school!

6. Role-Playing

Have students choose an important person from their culture to research. The person can be a current or historical figure. Then, set aside a day for the students to dress like their person and present the information that they found. You could even modify this activity to have students choose a person from outside of their culture.

7. Games From Around the World

Another fun way to celebrate diversity in the classroom is to bring in international games for indoor recess and celebrations. Some easy-to-play games include Mancala, tangrams, and Ludo. Be sure to ask your students what their favorites are and invite them to bring a game from home to play when appropriate.

You can also talk about the sports and games that are popular in the countries your students' families come from. If possible, find opportunities to go outside and play some of the sports and games that are shared.

8. Global Pen Pals

Encourage your students to write to pen pals. If you have students from a wide range of cultures in your class, you can pair students with friends or relatives of other students who live outside of the U.S. If you need ideas to get started, check out this program. It offers project-based opportunities for getting to know other students, schools, countries, and cultures.

9. Cultural Bulletin Board

Dedicate one bulletin board in your classroom to highlighting a different country or region of the world each month. Be sure to include pictures of the country and its location on a map as well as some simple words in the native language. You can even display information about famous people or events related to that country. Get creative!

10. Learn a New Language

Teaching about other languages is a great way to celebrate cultural diversity in the classroom. If you have students who speak languages other than English, allow them to share their languages with the other students. Ask each multilingual student to teach the class a few words in his or her native language. Here are a few simple ideas for words to share:

Greetings and introductions

Numbers from 1 to 20

Months or seasons

Family members

Colors

If a student isn't comfortable in the teacher role, ask him or her to teach you first. Then, you can present the information to the class. Depending on your grade level, you could even have students get into groups to create short skits using the new words they've learned.

11. Multicultural Fair

One of the most popular activities to promote diversity in the classroom is hosting a Multicultural Fair.

Invite students to bring in food, games, crafts, or other items that represent their culture. Extend invitations to family members as well, and invite other classes in your school to attend. You could also partner with other teachers to make a bigger celebration or turn it into a school-wide fair and incorporate the fair into your curriculum.

There are different types of diversity including language, race, ethnicity, religion, family background, and socioeconomic status. Each student in your class, whether they are new to the U.S. or not, has a unique family culture. When you celebrate cultural diversity in your classroom and around the world, your students will become more aware and appreciative of the global community that they're a part of.

Are you looking for expert tips and resources for teaching English Language Learners? Check out our ESL Resource Center.

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11 Creative Ways To Celebrate Cultural Diversity In The Classroom

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Celebrating cultural diversity in the classroom helps students feel confident, accepted, and understanding of the world around them.