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Project-based learning is a fantastic strategy for incorporating multicultural perspectives into different subject matter. An example of a project-based lesson that could expand between Language Arts, Geography, and Science would be a study on crops for a specific location. Students could work in groups, or individually to select a crop (from a list provided by the teacher). Students work to research the specific crop, the area the crop is harvested, the impact the crop has on the region, as well as how the crop is used in different cultures. Students will then create a presentation for the class giving an extensive background on the collected information.

Global Agriculture: Global Agriculture Magazine

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Theme based units are a great way to incorporate multicultural perspectives into instruction, and across different subject matter. An example of a theme-based unit would be to conduct research on different holiday celebrations across the world. Students can be placed in groups of 3 or 4 to gather information on a specific holiday. There should be guidelines to this lesson. One guideline is that students should be encouraged to have a discussion about the different holidays they celebrate with their families. This lesson should encourage students to look outside of their "comfort zone" to find a holiday/traditions that they are not familiar with, so they can teach the class about this holiday/tradition.

Students should be given a week to create a presentation based on their holiday/tradition and be prepared to present on Friday. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and provide as many examples as possible for the class, during this presentation.

Diversity Resources: Diversity Calendar 2025: DEI Inclusion Events, Cultural Months

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Performance art is a beautiful way to incorporate multicultural perspectives across different subject matter. An example strategy for incorporating multicultural perspectives into a performance for parents. Students can learn about this history behind "Las Posadas" and the cultural background/ importance of this celebration. Students can then perform at a celebration for the parents. This will not only give the students a better understanding for the importance of the holiday, it can also provide the families with conversations about the holiday.

Las Posadas Resources: Las Posadas Activities for Elementary Students in 2025 - Teaching with Jodi Durgin and Company

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Historical Techniques- Exploring the 7 Wonders of the World

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Historical Techniques- Exploring the 7 Wonders of the World

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Students can learn about the historical impacts from the 7 Wonders of the World, how they were made/developed, and their cultural influence on the world. An example of this would be to create a project on the pyramids, students can explore geometry, history, language arts, and science while learning about ancient civilizations, as well as what is in store for the future of the pyramids.

Ancient Civilization Resource: 5 Awesome Ancient Egypt Activities! – Student Savvy

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Aligning Instruction with Cultural Differences

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Aligning Instruction with Cultural Differences

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It is important for use to ensure that we are modifying the instruction to meet the cultural needs of the students in our classroom. This helps for students to tap into prior knowledge and allows for them to be better engaged in what they are learning. To be effective in this, we need to build a relationship with our students that fosters a sense of safety and trust. This will allow for us to learn more about each student and what they need to be successful.

Another important factor to creating an inclusive classroom is to provide students with different ways of learning. Changing things up for our students will help to keep the learning experience fresh and new, allowing for students to learn in new/different ways. Part of ensuring that this is effective is making sure that we are meeting the students where they are in their learning journey. Each student is unique, as is their learning style.

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To be successful in education, we must build relationships with our students and their families. This includes the community in which they belong. To make this a reality, we need to establish an open line of communication with families and seek their input. We have the same end goal, their student's success...establishing a relationship is the first step to this success.

Another important part of having established relationship with students and their families is empowering students to be the best version of themselves. This helps to set the student up to succeed. Allow students to share their perspectives and opinions, encourage them to share their successes but also their challenges.

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Creating an Equitable Learning Atmosphere

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Creating an Equitable Learning Atmosphere

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Our differences are what make us beautiful. This translates into the classroom as well. We need to create an environment where students are challenged to think critically and explore issues related to cultures, their own identity, and social justice. An important part of this is establishing ground rules for these important conversations, where respect is maintained. We need to address any biases that may arise within the classroom and combat these biases by educating students on the issues behind these biases. All students should have the opportunity to be successful and feel empowered in the classroom, regardless of cultural background, ability, language, or any barriers that may present themselves. If allowed, these factors can have an impact on the learning that takes place within the classroom. Addressing these factors and acknowledging them evens the playing field for all students to be successful.

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Culturally responsive teaching acknowledges our differences and celebrates those differences. These differences call us to require us to take different approaches to the learning process within our classroom. Group work, project-based learning, and hands-on activities are all ways that we can help to differentiate learning for our students. This is also how we can personalize each student experience. This may happen through changing how we assess understanding, giving students more flexibility in how they demonstrate their understanding, or even changing the instruction to meet their needs.

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One of our greatest resources are our fellow teachers. It takes a village to help support a community of learners and therefore, it is something that is consistently changing. Staying abreast of those changes and tapping into other teachers' experiences is how we will ensure that we stay fresh and informed as to best support our students. Find out what is working and what is "under construction" for other teachers. Tap into their prior knowledge and understanding for new strategies that support the diverse learning that takes place within your classroom. Empart your knowledge on others, when asked to do so. Staying current in new practices through professional development and collaborating with your teammates is the best way to support your multicultural classroom community.

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It is important to have a welcoming classroom environment. This requires us to include everyone. We spend a lot of time within this classroom, every member of our classroom community should be represented and feel welcomed there. Some examples of ways to accomplish this is to include different cultural references, photos, and quotes throughout the classroom. This is also something that can change often, to keep things fresh and new. Something as simple as where students sit, can have an impact on the learning that takes place within the classroom. It is important that everyone feels safe and comfortable, for them to progress in their learning. It is also important for us to have culturally relevant materials available for all students to access within the classroom.

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One of the most important aspects of fostering a multicultural classroom community is to establish norms. This can be an agreement between teacher and students but also should include student to student interactions. A compact (of sorts) where everyone agrees on what the expectations are for how we talk to or treat each other. If everyone agrees on these norms, when there is an issue, you can always refer back to the agreement that was made. this helps to ensure that everyone is respectful and if there are issues, there is an understanding of the consequences associated with breaking the rules.

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It is important for us to acknowledge each student for who they are. This includes their cultural background, how they identify, or their personal preferences. When we do this, we allow students to feel empowered by who they are. This also helps to avoid biases or stereotypes in the classroom, by allowing each student to express themselves in a way they feel most comfortable.

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Support from families and community are as important as the support students receive in the classroom. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience available to us, we just need to tap into it. Offering opportunities to families to assist within the classroom is one great way to support the learning that happens in the classroom. I have seen huge success with programs like homework helper parents in the classroom. Parents will sign in to do individual reading and homework support with students. This helps to build relationships with the parents and allows students to see that support in real-time.

Another opportunity for educational support is to invite community members to come into the classroom to give students a different perspective on topics. This can be during lessons involving different careers, or even during celebrations.

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As stated before, it takes a village to support the classroom community. One way to build this community is to engage students within the community. Some examples of this would be a field trip to Channel Islands Community Park, after a unit involving lessons about the ocean, tides, sea life, and pollution. Students can grow in the information that they learned during these lessons by participating in beach clean-up. Another example of community-based learning is collaborating with the agriculture department at the local high school and creating a unit on the plant cycle/water cycle. The high school students can help enforce the information by helping students to plant fruits and vegies in a school garden. This can include testing the Ph of the soil and researching what plants thrive in that type of soil. Students can maintain the gardens and harvest what they are able to grow (from seed), resulting in a community farmer's market. I have seen this practice in action and it is amazing. Students take an active interest in the care and success of their plants. Watching people purchase the items that they grew from seeds is so exciting for the students. -

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Often times, parents are not able to attend events during school hours. This requires that we find creative ways to accommodate schedules. One way to do this is to work with the Parent Teacher Association to develop Family Engagement Nights so that families can attend these events together and feel like they are a part of your community. Some examples of Family Engagement Nights are Bingo for Books. This event is a family game night in which families attend and play board games, to win books. In the weeks before the event, you ask families to bring their favorite board games to use the night of the event. You also ask families to donate any gently used books that their families no longer need. The night of the event, the PTA offers refreshments and the space to set up and families come to play games and enjoy fellowship with the community.

Another option is for a Family Science Night. Families sign up to host a table with a science experiment (or other informational demonstration) and the community attends the "Science Fair". This is both educational and engages families at the same time.

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Who doesn't love a celebration? What better way to engage students and their families in a multicultural experience? Some examples of celebrations could include a World Fair. At this world fair, families are encouraged to host a booth with a presentation of their family's heritage. We must be mindful of difficult family situations or circumstances, so this is something that we need to be delicate introducing to our families. However, this could be a rich celebration of the diversity within our classrooms.

Another option is a multicultural performance for families. We can teach background and help students to learn songs or dances with a multicultural perspective. The end result is a performance for the families... a celebration!

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Global Agriculture Magazine. (2024). Global Agriculture Magazine. https://www.global-agriculture.com/

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Ghazali, S. E. (2024, June 28). Diversity Resources. Diversity Resources. https://www.diversityresources.com/diversity-calendar-2025/

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Raymond, A. (2023, September 10). Las Posadas Activities for Elementary Students in 2025 - Teaching with Jodi Durgin and Company. Teaching with Jodi Durgin and Company. https://jodidurgin.com/las-posadas-activities/

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StudentSavvy. (2019, August 26). 5 Awesome Ancient Egypt Activities! Student Savvy. https://www.teachstudentsavvy.com/2019/08/5-awesome-ancient-egypt-activities.html