# data[].attributes.body
Incorporate books by diverse authors that reflect various cultural backgrounds. For example, include works by authors like Sandra Cisneros, Amy Tan, or Langston Hughes in English lessons to provide perspectives from different cultures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Books from diverse authors on history and celebrate the rich diversity and cultural experiences. In total we purchased 74 books from the list below to contribute to Wilson High School.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Culturally Responsive Book List for High School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Books from diverse authors on history and celebrate the rich diversity and cultural experiences. In total we purchased 74 books from the list below to contribute to Wilson High School.

# data[].attributes.body
Use real-world case studies highlighting contributions from diverse groups. For example, in social studies you can examine civil rights movements across different nations, such as the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and South Africa’s fight against apartheid.

# data[].attributes.body
Present history from multiple viewpoints. Instead of only teaching Eurocentric perspectives, include Indigenous narratives, the role of African civilizations, and contributions of Asian and Latin American cultures in global history.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Historical context is an important part of life and literature, and without it, memories, stories, and characters have less meaning. Historical context deals with the details that surround an occurrence. In more technical terms, historical context refers to the social, religious, economic, and political conditions that existed during a certain time and place. Basically, it's all the details of the time and place in which a situation occurs, and those details are what enable us to interpret and analyze works or events of the past, or even the future, rather than merely judge them by contemporary standards.

In literature, a strong understanding of the historical context behind a work's creation can give us a better understanding of and appreciation for the narrative. In analyzing historical events, context can help us understand what motivates people to behave as they did.

Put another way, context is what gives meaning to the details. It's important, however, that you don't confuse context with cause. Cause is the action that creates an outcome; context is the environment in which that action and outcome occur.

Why Historical Context Matters

Whether dealing with fact or fiction, historical context is important when interpreting behavior and speech. Consider the following sentence which, devoid of context, sounds innocent enough:

"Sally hid her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers before she answered."

But imagine that this statement comes from a transcript of court documents in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692 during the famed Salem Witch Trials. Religious fervor was at an extreme, and villagers were nearly obsessed with the devil and witchcraft. At that time, if a young woman were to tell a lie, it was fodder for hysteria and a violent reaction. A reader would assume that poor Sally was a candidate for the gallows.

Now, imagine you're reading a letter from a mother that contains this sentence:

"My daughter will be heading to California shortly after she marries."

How much information does this statement give us? Not much, until we consider when it was written. Should we discover that the letter was written in 1849, we will realize that one sentence can sometimes say a lot. A young woman heading for California in 1849 might be following her husband on a treacherous treasure-seeking expedition for the gold rush. This mother would probably be quite fearful for her child, and she would know that it would be a very long time before she'd see her daughter again, if ever.

Historical Context in Literature

No work of literature can be fully appreciated or understood without historical context. What may seem nonsensical or even offensive to contemporary sensibilities, might actually be interpreted in a completely different manner by considering the era it is from.

A good example is Mark Twain's " Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," published in 1885. It is considered an enduring work of American literature and a biting social satire. But it is also criticized by modern critics for its casual use of a racial epithet to describe Huck's friend Jim, a freedom-seeking enslaved person. Such language is shocking and offensive to many readers today, but in the context of the day, it was​ the commonplace language for many.

Back in the mid-1880s, when attitudes toward newly liberated enslaved African Americans were often indifferent at best and hostile at worst, the casual use of such racial epithets wouldn't have been considered unusual. In fact, what is actually more surprising, given the historical context of when the novel was written, is Huck's treating Jim not as his inferior but as his equal-something rarely portrayed in the literature of the time.

Similarly, Mary Shelley's " Frankenstein" cannot be fully appreciated by a reader who is unaware of the Romantic movement that took place in art and literature in the early 19th century. It was a time of rapid social and political upheaval in Europe when lives were transformed by the technological disruptions of the Industrial Age.

The Romantics captured the public's sense of isolation and fear that many experienced as a result of these social changes. "Frankenstein" becomes more than a good monster story, it becomes an allegory for how technology can destroy us.

Other Uses of Historical Context

Scholars and educators rely on historical context to analyze and interpret works of art, literature, music, dance, and poetry. Architects and builders rely on it when designing new structures and restoring existing buildings. Judges may use it to interpret the law, historians to understand the past. Any time critical analysis is required, you may need to consider historical context as well.

Without historical context, we are only seeing a piece of the scene and not fully understanding the influence of the time and place in which a situation occurred.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Understanding Historic Context Is Key to Analysis and Interpretation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Historical context helps you understand the social, cultural, political, and economic conditions that shaped past events, ideas, and behaviors.

# data[].attributes.body
Embed cultural perspectives across subjects. In math, explore contributions of scholars like Al-Khwarizmi (father of algebra), and in science, discuss achievements of scientists like Katherine Johnson and Chien-Shiung Wu.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Power of Cross-Curricular Integration in Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The benefits of a cross-curricular approach to teaching are numerous, and could be the answer to your teaching needs. Discover the power of cross-curricular integration in this blog.

# data[].attributes.body
Recognize and integrate students’ cultural backgrounds into lessons. If students have agricultural backgrounds, connect science lessons to farming techniques used in different cultures.

# data[].attributes.body
Adapt teaching styles to include storytelling, oral traditions, and collaborative learning, which align with diverse cultural communication styles. For example, Indigenous students might thrive in a storytelling-based lesson format.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Differentiating Instruction: It’s Not as Hard as You Think

# data[].attributes.body
Teach students how to navigate different linguistic and cultural settings while valuing their home language. Encourage multilingual students to use their native language for brainstorming before translating ideas into English.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
code-switching, process of shifting from one linguistic code (a language or dialect) to another, depending on the social context or conversational setting. Sociolinguists, social psychologists, and identity researchers are interested in the ways in which code-switching, particularly by members of minority ethnic groups, is used to shape and maintain a sense of identity and a sense of belonging to a larger community.

In the United States, code-switching was originally studied in the context of second-language acquisition as the process whereby native speakers of Spanish shifted from Spanish to English and vice versa. Sociolinguists such as John J. Gumperz were interested more generally in the circumstances that prompted members of a speech community to alternate between their native language and that of the majority population.

Code-switching was also studied among African Americans who shifted between standard English (a dialect of English that is recognized as the national norm in the United States and is spoken or written by the educated classes) and African American English (AAE), an Africanized dialect widely spoken by Americans of African descent. Other terms for African American English are African American Language, African American Vernacular English, Black English, Standard Black English, and Ebonics.

Code-switching among African American students has been recognized since the 1970s and has informed different views of those students' home dialect (AAE) and different approaches to the teaching of standard English. The "correctionist" approach to code-switching suggests that the students' home speech amounts to "broken English" or "poor grammar." Correctionists may also apply derogatory labels such as "ghetto" or "country." From the perspective of the correctionist, if the students' home speech is broken, then it needs to be corrected by getting them to use the appropriate language-standard English. For the correctionist, the students' home speech is nothing more than a set of bad habits that prevent them from mastering correct English.

In response to the correctionist approach, the contrastivist approach emphasizes the importance of language plurality. Those who have adopted this perspective believe that the African American students' home dialect is equally as important as standard English. Moreover, the students' home dialect can be used as a "bridge language" for acquiring standard English. For example, African American students may come to school and say to the teacher something like the following: "My brother, he smart." The contrastivist teacher will recognize this phrase as having a West African sentence structure known as topic-comment: "my brother" is the topic, and "he smart" is the comment. Recognizing that the phrase lacks a verb (a deficit only in standard English), the contrastivist educator will show the students the difference between the phrase "My brother, he smart" and its equivalent in standard English and, more generally, show the students how their home dialect differs grammatically from standard English and how the two dialects are appropriate in different social contexts. As a result of understanding those differences, the students have a better understanding of how to code-switch.

According to the American linguists Benjamin Lee Whorf and Edward Sapir, language has the power to shape the worldview and identity of its users. Both the correctionist and contrastivist ideologies shape, through language, the identities of students in uniquely different ways. The student whose language is shaped by the correctionist's ideology may adopt a mainstream cultural identity, one that is couched in Eurocentric values, ideals, and customs.

However, the student whose language is shaped by the contrastivist's ideology may adopt different cultural identities depending on the social context or conversational setting. Here, the speaker may move back and forth between the dialect of the dominant culture and the home dialect, depending on the situation. So, for example, an African American business executive addressing colleagues in a professional setting may express disapproval by saying "I disagree." However, the same individual, addressing friends in an informal setting, may say, "That ain't cool." It is safe to say that many African Americans, particularly within the middle class, speak on a continuum ranging from the language of the suites to the language of the streets.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Code-switching | Linguistic Benefits & Challenges

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Code-switching, process of shifting from one linguistic code (a language or dialect) to another, depending on the social context or conversational setting. Sociolinguists, social psychologists, and identity researchers are interested in the ways in which code-switching, particularly by members of

# data[].attributes.body
Implement project-based learning that allows students to explore their cultural identities. Assign research projects where students present on cultural traditions, significant historical figures, or social issues affecting their communities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Student-Centered Learning: It Starts With the Teacher

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teachers encourage student-centered learning by allowing students to share in decisions, believing in their capacity to lead, and remembering how it feels to learn.

# data[].attributes.body
Display culturally diverse posters, artwork, and flags representing students’ backgrounds. Label classroom materials in multiple languages spoken by students.

# data[].attributes.body
Use gender-neutral and culturally respectful language. Encourage students to share the correct pronunciation of their names and honor their preferred identities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Inclusive language is language that acknowledges diversity, promotes equality and instills the importance of respect toward all people.
Examples of inclusive language include using gender-neutral phrases when talking to groups, acknowledging first-nations people in a speech, and using modern medical descriptors rather than outdated ones with negative connotations.

This helps to ensure people are free from negativity, microaggressions, and subtle discrimination.

See below for examples of how to use inclusive language terms and expressions.

Examples of Inclusive Language

Religious Inclusion: A principal of a private religious school welcomes people "of all faiths and backgrounds" into the school on an open day.

Saying 'Everyone' instead of 'Guys': Using the phrase "everyone" instead of "guys" when referring to a group of people (e.g. Survivor Season 41).

Gender Neutral Anthems: Changes to the Canadian national anthem to make it gender-neutral.

Renaming Waitress to Server: Putting out advertisements for people in the service industry that refer to them as servers rather than waitresses to be inclusive of all genders.

Not Assuming a Person's Orientation: Asking a woman "are you dating anyone?" rather than "do you have a boyfriend?" in case they are LGBT.

Gender Pronouns: Using the pronouns "they/them" for a person who identifies as non-binary.

Referring to Disabilities: Saying "a person with a disability" rather than "a disabled person" in order to ensure their identity isn't defined entirely by their disability.

Medical Terminology: Using the modern phrase "autism spectrum" rather than "Asperger's" to refer to a person on the autism spectrum.

Pronoun Normalization: Calling someone "they" instead of by a gendered pronoun until they have told you their pronouns.

Trans Inclusion: Increasingly, medical professionals are saying "people who can give birth" rather than "women" because many trans men have wombs and can still give birth.

Renaming Football Clubs: Changing the name of a football club to avoid insulting indigenous peoples (e.g. Washington Redskins were renamed Washington Commanders).

Community-Inclusive Pamphlets: Providing pamphlets and brochures in multiple languages to include minority populations with first languages other than English.

Acknowledging Indigenous Lands: Providing an acknowledgment of country to Indigenous people before giving a speech on their land.

Language on Bathroom Doors: Changing signs on bathroom doors to ensure Trans people feel they have a bathroom they can go into that will be safe for them.

Renaming Locations for Inclusion: Renaming schools, streets, and parks so they are not named after colonizers or invaders. For example, in Australia, Ayers Rock was renamed Uluru because that's it's real name whereas Ayers was the white explorer who renamed it during colonization.

Common Inclusive Language Scenarios

1. Abilities & Disabilities
Keeping in mind that 1 billion people in the world experience some form of disability, it is important to rectify past descriptor words and phrases that are hurtful in nature, and instead take a person-first approach with our language.
That is, putting the focus on the person, instead of their unique condition.

While each individual has their own preferred terminology that relates to their experience, the following are suggestions on how to use inclusive language:

A. Describing someone as "a person with loss of vision or a visual impairment", instead of "blind."
B. Communicating that a person "uses a wheelchair" instead of describing them as "wheelchair-bound."
Mental health disorders affect 13% of the world's population. Medical professionals are increasingly trying to avoid stigmatization of people with mental health disorders.
2. Mental Health
Using gender neutral language is an excellent way to use inclusive language.
As we continue working on de-stigmatizing language, being mindful of how those around us may be affected by our choice of words is top of mind as it relates to mental health.

Moving away from casual discriminatory descriptors (e.g. "spaz", or "psycho") of someone when behaviours are minor, in comparison to actual mental health disorders is being inclusive.

This helps to provide a safe space for those diagnosed with mental health disorders to not feel ostracized or less-than based on their health concerns.
Ageism pertains to discrimination or prejudice solely on the grounds of a person's age.
Rather than defaulting to commonly used phrases and nouns that often include the word "man," or words that are masculine in nature (i.e. "guys"), it's good practice to be more neutral in our communications so as not to segregate people.

By upholding the values of gender equality in our communications, it encourages the alteration of language that is based on stereotypes.

For example: Rather than describing someone as ladylike or a gentleman, cut out the gender associations and define them as polite or kind. Similarly, refer to a group as "folks" instead of "guys" if they are of mixed company.
Socioeconomic language refers to language that is associated to class, with an emphasis on monetary income.
In order to use more inclusive language, the focus should be highlighting someone's individuality instead of their perceived age group or generation. The following suggestions move away from generalizing and grouping people together based on perceived associations or ages:

1. Rather than stating that someone is "old", instead focus on describing them as experienced or effective.
2. Instead of classifying someone by an age category (i.e. Boomer, Middle-aged) refer to them as their specific age or as a "person born between x year and x year."

5. Socioeconomic Status
In the sentiment of words holding a strong meaning and affirming biases, it's important that we utilize inclusive language in a manner that also allows for people to change and grow.
When talking about folks from different socioeconomic situations, inclusive language ensures that respect and dignity is being given to these individuals and communities regardless of the place they grew up in or currently live. This can be accomplished with the following modifications:

1. Instead of saying someone is from the "inner city" or "homeless", refer to them as "under-resourced" or as a "person experiencing homelessness."
2. Rather than stating someone is from a "disadvantaged neighbourhood", instead describe them as "inhabiting in a neighbourhood with access to fewer opportunities."

6. Criminal Justice System

In the case of criminal justice, for instance, the intention is for those in the system to seek repentance and reform of their person during long periods of reflection.

By speaking about people involved in the prison system in derogatory terms such as "felons or predators," there is an unfair label being placed on someone, which prevents them for pursuing all types of opportunities.
Visible minority groups and communities have been addressed in a manner that was systemically decided upon by governments and social policies.
While we may not always agree with a particular person's actions, showing empathy is how we evolve inclusive language and social cohesion, and allow for others to change.

7. Race & Ethnicity
Beyond reflecting on how our words hold weight, it is equally important to recognize the contexts in which our language is impactful.
As we embody and support more inclusive language, this means discussing and addressing groups in the way they prefer to be identified. This could look like using preferred spellings of culturally significant phrases and words, as well as avoiding idioms and phrases with problematic origins.

This also means moving away from generalized descriptor words such as "alien, foreigners, and ethnics" in favour for "people of colour, persons, and immigrants."

Similar to the criminal justice system, the medical industry is a great place to practice inclusive language.
Learning spaces where large groups of people congregate also provide excellent opportunities to put inclusive language into practice.
By using person-centred language in tandem with person-centre care, health care providers and participants in the industry can better support the dignity of patients.

A change in this context could look like this:

Moving from classifying someone as a "sufferer" and instead saying they are "living with or being treated for" a particular disease.

9. Educational & Workplace Settings

Acknowledging that many different types of people occupy educational institutions and workplaces also means it's imperative that inclusive language is top of mind.

Providing professional and educational materials to employees and students, such as lectures and business reports, that include inclusive language ensures individuals feel part of the team and not "othered."
Another approach to using inclusive language is utilizing culturally significant alphabets and pronunciation references, when referring to different cultures in writing.
Similarly, meeting titles and email subjects, as well as internal and external promotional materials should refrain from language that segregates to promote inclusion among all groups and communities that may make up these spaces.

10. Pronunciation & Typography

This would involve utilizing fonts with diacritical marks, which are markings placed above or below a letter to indicate a particular tone or accent, as well as providing guidance of pronunciation for names, places, and phrases.

Visually, this may look like:

Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish, as spelled on bilingual BC road signs)

Word: Skagit
Associated Press: SKA'-jiht
IPA: /ˈskædʒɪt/

Conclusion

Through inclusive language, there is an intentional avoidance of expressions and words that may be perceived as exclusionary to some groups, which in turn promotes social cohesion.

The implementation of inclusive language as a new standard for communication must be taken seriously due to how deeply language can impact how we view gender, race, and other cultures throughout society.

The purpose of inclusive language is to allow folks from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, identities, and communities to feel accepted by society, no matter where they are or who they associate with. Rather than feeling segregated for perceived differences, inclusive language allows all individuals to exist as they are, freely in all spaces. By recognizing how biases and stereotypes have shaped our language, and actively working towards replacing them with inclusive language, we will become a more empathetic society that celebrates differences rather than compares and judges.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) and Peer Reviewed by Chris Drew (PhD)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
15 Examples of Inclusive Language (2023)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Inclusive language is language that acknowledges diversity, promotes equality and instills the importance of respect toward all people.

# data[].attributes.body
Develop classroom norms that promote respect and cultural understanding. Have students collaborate on guidelines emphasizing listening to diverse perspectives, respecting traditions, and using inclusive dialogue.

# data[].attributes.body
Designate time for students to share cultural traditions, such as storytelling, food, or music. These events can be student-led and integrated into lessons.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
11 Creative Ways To Celebrate Cultural Diversity In The Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Celebrating cultural diversity in the classroom helps students feel confident, accepted, and understanding of the world around them.

# data[].attributes.body
Host multicultural nights where families share traditions, food, and performances. These events help bridge cultural gaps between students, educators, and families.

# data[].attributes.body
Partner with local cultural organizations, museums, or businesses to create hands-on learning experiences. For example, collaborate with an Indigenous cultural center for a history project.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Engaging Students With Community-Based Projects

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Having high school students research their town, including the history and local issues, can help them see ways to contribute to their community.

# data[].attributes.body
Create take-home activities that encourage students to engage with their families' cultural heritage. For example, assign an interview project where students talk to a family member about a cultural tradition, historical event, or personal immigration story, then share their findings in class. This fosters a deeper appreciation for diverse backgrounds and strengthens the home-school connection.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Strategies:
1. Family History and Heritage
2. Caregiver Service and Engagement Programs
3. Honoring Family and Community Wisdom in the Classroom
4. Adult Education Programs
5. Events for Caregivers

Partnering with caregivers is an essential part of honoring students' lived experience. Educators who connect their teaching to students' cultures, languages and heritage create classroom environments that value critical home-school relationships, affirm student identities and challenge stereotypes.

Family History and Heritage

Tapping into students' family histories, backgrounds and cultures through classroom activities is a critical and empowering practice that allows students to explore and celebrate their heritage. (Keep in mind that not all students will have access to extensive information about their family, and classroom activities must be modified to accommodate that reality.) Importantly, when students share stories and hear about the lives of their classmates, their appreciation for the value of diversity grows. Providing space for historically underrepresented narratives and histories affirms students' identities and caregivers' experiences.

Additionally, allowing caregivers to see themselves as a valuable resource in children's learning strengthens interactions between educators, students and caregivers. Strong home-school relationships equalize the power balance by treating caregivers as invested partners who want the best for their children.

Caregiver Service and Engagement Programs

Service projects can help educators bridge family and community engagement and classroom activities. Ideas for service and engagement programs include family volunteer action days; working together on neighborhood political and social issues; attending community events such as film screenings, Juneteenth celebrations or LGBTQ+ Pride events; or fundraising projects for community causes.

Honoring Family and Community Wisdom in the Classroom

After learning about students' families and lives outside of the classroom, educators can honor caregiver and community wisdom through their instructional choices.

Honoring caregivers and communities in the classroom might look like:

Incorporating what you have learned about students' values and identities into your teaching and learning.

Restructuring classroom norms and practices to reflect community dynamics and conversation styles familiar to students and their families.

Incorporating local and cultural stories, histories and values into the curriculum.

Asking families and caregivers to share their perspectives on historical or current events.

For example, stories of environmental education, like Edutopia's " Building a Sustainable Future-One Classroom at a Time," show how teachers across disciplines can help students focus on local sustainability efforts, analyze environmental injustice, and connect to familial or community practices.

Adult Education Programs

Adult education programs support the community and can help foster trusting relationships with caregivers. Such programs should align with the community's needs and might include language classes, GED programs, Know Your Rights sessions or assistance with passing citizenship tests. Programs can also include back-to-school resource fairs, cultural events like watching films or listening to speakers, or discussions for families and caregivers on topics such as bullying prevention, identity development, racial experiences, gender expression, sexual orientation, learning differences and family diversity.

Events for Caregivers

Events that bring students and caregivers together might include potlucks, school carnivals, affinity events (for caregivers from groups that share identities or lived experiences, such as adoptive or foster care families or LGBTQ+ families), showcases of student work, student or community performances, and film nights or game nights. During these events, teachers can connect informally with families to share information and resources and to support one another in times of need.

The school can support these connections by prioritizing the planning and execution of schoolwide events. To keep equity and accessibility front and center in the plan, use these questions as a guide:

How much does the event cost the school to host?

How much does the event cost families to attend?

What changes could be made to ensure that the event is free and accessible to all families, including families with disabilities, child care needs and transportation barriers?

How much time will it take to participate in the event? Will adults who work in the evenings and on weekends have opportunities to participate?

Will there be child care available, if needed?

What language interpretation services will be provided to ensure all families can participate?

Will food be provided? If so, does the menu or selection take into account dietary restrictions, including allergies and cultural or religious practices?

Are there transportation options for families to and from the event?

If the event is online, will any families be unable to access it? What are some alternatives?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Educators who connect their teaching to students' cultures, languages and heritage create classroom environments that value critical home-school relationships, affirm student identities and challenge stereotypes.

# data[].attributes.body
Invite community leaders, elders, or professionals from diverse backgrounds to share experiences and insights, providing students with role models from various cultural contexts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What the research says: Guest speakers in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Lauren Hudson (she/her), TTOC and K–12 Education Co-ordinator with Ocean Networks Canada, Comox and Monika Pelz (she/her), TTOC and K–12 Education Co-ordinator with Ocean Networks Canada,…