# data[].attributes.body
Creating inclusive and classroom spaces for students through detailed instruction. Lessons involve case studies, Awareness Activities, and Multicultural Links to provide a deeper understanding for students and teachers.

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Multicultural education, diversity, equity, and social justice education.

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Research based instruction and station activities for pre-K through 5th grade. These activities are designed to extend, enrich or remediate skills. These lessons are designed to be delivered in a small group.

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From 2004 to 2010, a team of researchers and teachers at FCRR collected ideas and created Student Center Activities for use in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms. The activities are designed for students to practice, demonstrate, and extend their learning of what has already been taught, sometimes with teacher assistance and sometimes independently. Students can complete the activities in small groups, pairs, or individually.

Accompanying these Student Center Activities is a Teacher Resource Guide that offers important insights on differentiated instruction and how to use the Student Center materials.

Component

Name of the reading component: Phonological Awareness (PA), Phonics (P), Fluency (F), Vocabulary (V), or Comprehension (C). Each component is color coded: PA is purple, P is orange, F is red, V is green, C is blue.

Subcomponent

Name of the reading subcomponent, which is a subskill of the component.

Activity Name

Activity Number

The letters correspond with the reading component (PA, P, F, V, or C). The numbers are listed in ascending order within each component. The activities are sequenced from simple to more complex within each component and subcomponent.

Student Icon

The suggested number of students for the activity. One student icon indicates that students may work independently or with a small group. Two student icons indicate that the activity requires students to work in pairs. Two student icons with a plus sign indicate that the activity requires two or more students.

Objective

States the goal of the activity, which is aligned with the subcomponent.

Materials

Materials are located on the pages that follow the Activity Plan. Most materials are non-consumable to be prepared and used repeatedly (e.g., word cards can be laminated). Some materials are consumable and will need to be duplicated for each student doing the activity. Other materials, such as counters, are commonly found in most classrooms.

Activity Statement

One sentence explanation of the purpose of the activity and what students do to complete the activity.

Activity Steps

The first step describes how to setup the center. The second step begins with: The student, Students, Working in pairs, or Taking turns depending on the number of students needed to complete the activity. The second step also starts the series of steps to complete the activity. The next steps explain what the student does to complete the activity. The last step lists one of three accountability methods: Self-check, Peer evaluation, or Teacher evaluation.

Example

A visual of the activity and key materials.

Extensions and Adaptations

Suggestions that extend or provide an adaptation for additional practice on the skill addressed in the activity. Materials for the extensions and adaptations are included after the pages that align to the Activity Plan.

Users may use the FCRR Student Center Activities resources as long as modifications are not made, the resources will only be used for non-profit educational purposes, and the copyright belong jointly to the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Center for Reading Research. These resources may not be used for any commercial purposes. These resources on our site may be linked to but not reposted, reproduced, modified, or copied to other sites. For questions about the use of these resources, please contact The Florida Center for Reading Research at fcrr@fcrr.org.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From 2004 to 2010, a team of researchers and teachers at FCRR collected ideas and created Student Center Activities for use in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms. The activities are designed for students to practice, demonstrate, and extend their learning of what has already been taught, sometimes with teacher assistance and sometimes independently.

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Anti Racism Policy

Creating inclusive classroom, school buildings, and facilities through identified policies and practices.

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Board Initiatives - Cincinnati Public Schools

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Board Initiatives - Cincinnati Public Schools

# data[].attributes.body
Making sure inclusive practices are included within instruction is a focus of the math department in Cincinnati Public schools

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Not your computer? Use a private browsing window to sign in. Learn more about using Guest mode

# data[].attributes.body
Ensures students receive authentic instruction free of bias but deep instruction the moves past surface events and figures, but dives deep into social constructs and systems.

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What is multicultural education?

Multicultural education is designed to prepare students for citizenship in a democratic society by teaching them to consider the needs of all individuals. It clarifies how issues of race, ethnicity, culture, language, religion, gender, and abilities/disabilities are intertwined with educational processes and content.

Why do we need a multicultural curriculum?

To prepare students for diverse workplaces and multicultural environments

To expose biases, stereotypes, and policies that can restrict achievement

To ensure that content is fair, accurate, and inclusive

To accomodate for diverse teaching and learning styles of teachers and students

To help students, faculty, and staff become advocates for multicultural awareness

What does a multicultural curriculum look like?

Curriculum from any subject area may be altered to include multicultural content. This can be accomplished by

including a variety of perspectives;

discussing social contexts, including issues of equity and justice; and/or

including activities that foster critical thinking and self-awareness.

Expanding curriculum to include a variety of perspectives not only allows educators to discuss views and ideas that are less common or underrepresented, but also provides students a more holistic understanding of the subject area. Furthermore, positive role models from a variety of different backgrounds and cultural groups can be included.

Another way to reform curriculum is to discuss social issues. Educators can transform their classrooms by fostering an environment where students can ponder ideas such as what it means to be an active citizen, how discrimination and prejudice negatively affect democratic society, or how they can become more sensitive to and respectful of social differences.

Multicultural lesson plans should encourage students to develop critical thinking skills and increase self-understanding. Educators can best encourage this development by modeling critical-thinking situations. When students learn to recognize their values, feelings, privileges, and biases, they become more self-aware.

How should a curriculum be changed to be more multicultural?

Five stages have been proposed for multicultural curriculum reform (see source by Paul C. Gorski). The process of bringing multicultural components into a curriculum may include participating in a multicultural seminar or workshops, examining current course content, obtaining support from colleagues, and undertaking necessary personal examination and change. Educators should compare the stages to their current practices and consider ways to improve their curriculua. Higher stages represent greater multicultural competence.

Stage 1: Recognition

Educators must first recognize that the traditional curriculum is not the only content needed. Mainstream curriculum often does not include ideas and experiences representing contemporary diverse societies.

Educators must recognize their own biases, prejudices, and assumptions that may affect their teaching and ultimately influence their students. As they work towards eliminating these biases, they may become more effective teachers, include more multicultural curriculum, and be more likely to reach all students. The process of recognizing biases-and working to eradicate them-is ongoing.

Stage 2: Heroes and Holidays

After recognizing the need for curriculum reform, educators may begin to integrate other perspectives by celebrating cultural holidays and highlighting famous individuals from non-dominant groups, drawing attention to the fact that society is shaped by multiple perspectives. But they should not stop at this point.

Stage 3: Integration

Moving beyond superficial integration, educators need to integrate information about non-dominant groups across several areas of the curriculum. A daily lesson plan may incorporate a special lesson, book, or film that highlights members of non-dominant groups. Educators must move beyond using the new materials and units only as secondary sources.

Step 4: Structural Reform

During this stage, educators weld diverse perspectives and multicultural materials into their traditional curriculum. This unit is seamless to ensure that one source of information is not seen as primary over or more accurate than another.

Step 5: Social Action and Awareness

During the final stage of this model of curriculum reform, educators incorporate discussions and activities that address social issues such as practicing equity within a democracy, overcoming discrimination/prejudice based on differences in access to power, providing accommodations for persons with disabilities, etc. Educators can encourage students to understand these concepts based on experiences and increased self-awareness and to develop their own views.

What links can take me to further information?

Multiculturalism/Diversity Curriculum
Produced by the National Council for the Social Studies, this site includes a list of 23 guidelines for educators to follow when transforming their curriculum.

Advice of Effective Curriculum Transformation
This website provides educators quick tips and a list of things to remember when transforming curriculum.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Multicultural education is designed to prepare students for citizenship in a democratic society by teaching them to consider the needs of all individuals. It clarifies how issues of race, ethnicity, culture, language, religion, gender, and abilities/disabilities are intertwined with educational processes and content.

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Gamifying learning to make students more apt to participate. Allows students to connect their thoughts and embraces students unique learning styles.

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No single teaching approach will engage each student at once, but building a strategy to consistently deliver culturally-responsive teaching lessons will help you appeal to diverse learners with distinct backgrounds.

Rooted in differentiated instruction principles, culturally-responsive pedagogy aims to link content - from delivery to assessment - with students' ancestral and contemporary cultures.

To augment their understanding and responsiveness, this involves:

Empowering students to share thoughts

Integrating diverse work and study practices

Understanding student learning needs and styles

Emulating culturally-significant instruction styles, such as oral storytelling

To help you plan and deliver lessons that resonate with a diverse classroom, we'll explain what culturally responsive teaching is and how it is implemented.

We also put together 15 culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples that will resonate with diverse students and foster an inclusive classroom environment.

These strategies are available as a downloadable list below for quick reference so you can reference them during classroom instruction.

Let's start with some simple explanation of what culturally responsive teaching actually means.

What is culturally responsive teaching?

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a pedagogy that acknowledges and embraces students' cultures, languages and experiences - and relates them to classroom learning.

Culturally responsive teachers are actively aware of the various cultural backgrounds present in their classrooms, and act as a facilitator of lessons that can resonate with each.

It is not an easy task - creating this learning environment requires not only a high level of cultural competence, but also an intentional effort to learn about students' backgrounds and cultures.

It can be majorly beneficial to closing achievement gaps between students of different backgrounds and addressing inequities in the classroom. You can also create stronger partnerships with your students by fostering a learning environment where they are represented clearly.

Conditions for creating a culturally-responsive classroom

Reflected in the 15 strategies and examples in the next section, there are four conditions any teacher must fulfill to establish a culturally-responsive classroom, according to an authoritative academic book about the subject called Diversity and Motivation.

As you prepare and deliver any lesson, strive to:

Establish inclusion

This starts by highlighting how the topic you're teaching may relate or apply to students. For example, many societies and cultures have fireworks festivals.

While such a festival runs, you could teach how to calculate speed using fireworks in sample questions. Establishing inclusion also involves regularly grouping students with different classmates, encouraging discussion to solve problems. In doing so, they can share unique perspectives and diverse background knowledge.

Develop positive attitudes

This further focuses on relating content to students. A popular method is allowing them to choose between activities and assessments that let them showcase their values, strengths and experiences.

For example, while providing clear learning goals and evaluation criteria, encourage students to submit their own project ideas.

Enhance meaning

You can bolster lesson content by drawing connections with real-world issues, asking students to use opinions and existing knowledge to address them.

For example, when teaching about government, you could contextualize concepts through municipal political issues. When appropriate, use student jargon to clarify these issues or improve communication in general.

Foster confidence

Make the assessment process less intimidating by offering different ways to demonstrate skills and understanding. For example, avoid handing out quizzes that are purely multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank.

Among other question types, mix in problems that involve writing short- and long-form answers. After, give students time to assess their own progress and performance, helping them focus on growth.

Meeting these four conditions largely relies on using specific approaches, such as the 15 explored below.

15 Culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples

1. Learn about your students

At the start of the year or semester, demonstrating a desire to adapt your teaching style to students can help them feel valued. Because open communication should uncover their learning needs and preferences, try:

Distributing questionnaires, asking about interests

Handing out surveys, gathering information about learning styles

Holding open discussions, allowing students to talk about positive experiences from past classes

Once you've gathered enough information, tell the class you'll focus on adjusting your teaching approach to help them learn as best as they can. Students should quickly warm up to you.

2. Interview students

You'll build a stronger understanding of students' values and habits - as well as strengths and weaknesses - by individually asking them questions. While running a large-group exercise, pull each student aside for a few minutes. Ask about:

Hobbies

Their favourite lessons and activities

Which kinds of exercises help them remember lessons and improve skills

Note what each student says to identify themes and different preferences. Then, when possible, relate content to their interests and deliver lessons that appeal to shared strengths.

3. Integrate relevant word problems

Many students will take a greater interest in math if you use word problems to contextualize equations. Working with 41 7th grade students throughout an academic year, a study published by the Canadian Center of Science and Education used such contextual learning strategies to increase test scores by more than 44%. Create culturally-relevant word problems by:

Including student names to make subject matter relatable

Linking to student interests, such as by measuring the shot distance of a famous soccer player

Referencing diverse cultures, such as by determining the diameter of a specific ethnic food platter

Using these word problem tips will not only help you establish a culturally-responsive classroom, but engage students more than by using abstract questions.

4. Present new concepts by using student vocabulary

Delivering relatable content goes beyond math class. In any subject, you can grab and keep student attention by using their vocabulary to build understanding before moving to academic diction. Let's say many of your students are sports fans with family from soccer-crazed nations. Use a soccer example to demonstrate metaphors in language arts class:
Andrea Pirlo is an eagle on the pitch, armed with vision sharp enough to detect the smallest openings and recognize opportunities his opposition can't.
This kind of culturally-responsive language should open the door to presenting challenging skills and concepts, engaging students while doing so.

5. Bring in guest speakers

Guest speakers can bring context and passion to history, geography and social studies lessons, capturing student interest.

A war veteran could deliver a vivid narrative of his or her experiences. A mountaineer could give a striking recount of scaling Lhotse. Both could answer questions many teachers would struggle with, while engaging students much more effectively than a slideshow.

Plus, according to a study by the Economics of Education Review, students are often encouraged to work harder when they share a background with an educator. So, diverse guest speakers may inherently engage and motivate students who share a culture with them.

6. Deliver different forms of content through learning stations

Whether due to culture, socialization, preference or learning needs, students respond differently to different types of content. You can provide a range of material to each student by setting up learning stations. Each station should use a unique method of teaching a skill or concept related to your lesson.

For example, students can rotate between stations that involve:

Playing a game

Creating artwork

Watching a video

Reading an article

Completing puzzles

Listening to you teach

After going through each station, you can help students further process the material by holding a class discussion or assigning questions to answer.

7. Gamify lessons

Want another way to consistently diversify content and its delivery, appealing to different learning styles? Gamify some lesson elements. Easy-to-implement practices include:

Offering rewards, such as badges, for completing specific tasks or achieving certain scores

Setting a clear learning goal for the lesson, charting progress throughout the class to motivate students

Creating an "instruction manual" for a project, which contains the rubric and best practices for earning a high grade

Plus, gamifying your lessons is a way of making connections with contemporary gaming culture - helping students within this culture process and demonstrate understanding of content.

8. Call on each student

Call-and-response - the practice of asking students frequent questions while giving lessons - usually keeps them engaged, but also enables them to share thoughts and opinions. Involve everyone by:

Encouraging the sharing of personal perspectives, when a question allows for it

Calling on students without their hands up, acclimatizing them to speaking amongst peers

Asking a question after each new point or thought, having a student teach back the concept you just spoke about

By lesson's end, this call-and-response approach should allow each student to speak at least once.

9. Use media that positively depict a range of cultures

Children process content more effectively when their cultures and languages have places in the curriculum, according to an oft-cited academic book about teaching in multiracial schools.

Using media, such as books and movies, that positively depict a range of cultures and are relevant to your syllabus can partially address this need. Finding options through databases such as IMDB or American Literature isn't a tough task.

As a bonus, using different media should boost engagement levels.

10. Offer different types of free study time

Free study time typically appeals to students who prefer solo learning, but many cultures prioritize learning in group settings. You can meet both preferences by dividing your class into clearly-sectioned team and individual activities, such as the following:

Provide audiobooks, which play material relevant to your lessons

Create a station for group games that teach curriculum-aligned skills

Keep a dedicated quiet space for students to take notes and complete work

Allow some students to work in groups while taking notes and completing work, away from the dedicated quiet space

Presented with these options, free study time should appeal to a wider range of learners.

11. Encourage students to propose ideas for projects

By asking students to submit ideas for their own projects, the benefits of choice extend beyond free study time. Specifically, they should build confidence by showcasing their strengths and existing background knowledge.

So, encourage them to pitch ideas for taking a project from concept to completion. A student must show how the product will meet academic standards in his or her pitch. If the idea falls short, give the student ideas to refine it. If the student can't refine the idea, he or she can choose a project from a list of options you provide.

Not only will you be pleasantly surprised by some pitches, but you may generate ideas for future culturally-responsive exercises and assessments.

12. Experiment with peer teaching

There'll almost always be some student vocabulary and communal practices you never pick up on. But you can fill these gaps through peer teaching. Relatively-simple exercises include:

Students who read and discuss story passages with peers recall more content and score higher on assessments, according an Ohio University pilot study. And, according to a science education study, students who work in pairs and groups typically perform better on tests that involve reasoning and critical thinking.

Such results are largely achieved due to students discussing and rationalizing concepts in their own words, many of which belong to contemporary cultural lexicon and are not academic.

13. Establish cooperative base groups

Cooperative base groups - which come from collaborative learning pedagogy - allow students to regularly learn and process content together.

Your role consists of creating groups of three or four, scheduling meeting times and detailing agendas for them. Filling knowledge gaps and encouraging communication is also involved. Students' roles focus on supporting each other while striving to meet learning goals over the year.

While working in base groups, students can:

Review lessons

Take on guided research

Address each other's questions

Complete in-class assessments

The connection to culturally-responsive teaching is the same as peer learning: cooperative base groups encourage students to make sense of concepts you've taught by using their own words and thoughts.

14. Run problem-based learning scenarios

The flexibility of problem-based learning lends itself to culturally-responsive teaching. This is because, when presenting a relatable real-world problem for your students to solve, two cultural connections will typically occur.

1. First, there will likely be a cultural link in the question, whether it's explicit or students make it themselves.

2. Second, because they can apply different approaches toward problem-solving, they may use unique cultural perspectives.

But if you want to create a scenario with explicit cultural ties, consider:

Encouraging students to take historical, sociological and anthropological viewpoints

Framing the problem using ethnic events - for instance, solving logistical challenges of running a heritage festival - in the area

Regardless, the student-centred nature of problem-based learning will allow your class to use culturally-relevant examples and information when appropriate.

15. Involve parents by using take-home letters

Involving parents in their child's learning is a core part of almost any culturally-responsive teaching approach -- they act as the main educators in many societies and can provide cultural context. When starting a new unit or trying out an education tool for the first time, consider sending a letter home to parents.

For reference, here's the letter Prodigy provides to its teachers. This opens the door to parent participation. While not all parents will be subject matter experts, most should be able to provide guidance.

Downloadable list of culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples

Click here to download and print a simplified list of the 15 culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples to keep at your desk.

Interested in other teaching strategies to deploy in your classroom?

Culturally-responsive teaching strategies overlap in important ways with many other pedagogical approaches. Consider researching other teaching and instructional strategies to help bolster your approach, or combine different elements of each strategy!

Active learning strategies empower, engage, and stimulate your students as they put them at the center of the learning process.

Experiential learning activities, in contrast to traditional learning activities,aim to develop knowledge and skills through direct, firsthand experience.

Project-based learning involves an open-ended approach that sees students work alone or collectively to work on engaging, intricate curriculum-related questions or challenges..

Inquiry-based learning is broken down into four categories, all of which emphasize student questions, ideas and analyses.

Adaptive learning focuses on changing - or "adapting" - content for each student on an individual basis, especially with the help of technology.

Social emotional learning activities help students build social skills, establish healthy relationships and manage their emotions.

Final thoughts about culturally-relevant pedagogy

Delivering culturally-responsive lessons can not only help you engage students, but allow them to make personal connections with content.

Student populations across your school district are comprised of different races, backgrounds, cultural identities and socioeconomic statuses - it's important that teaching practices reflect and embrace these differences.

Greater student investment should lead to other benefits, such as more rigor and motivation. A happier, focused classroom is the ideal outcome.

Prodigy is a digital game-based learning platform that delivers a range of culturally-relevant math content through engaging word and scenario-based problems. Standards-aligned, it's used by millions of teachers and students across the world.

Create your free teacher account

No single teaching approach will engage each student at once, but building a strategy to consistently deliver culturally-responsive teaching lessons will help you appeal to diverse learners with distinct backgrounds.

Rooted in differentiated instruction principles, culturally-responsive pedagogy aims to link content - from delivery to assessment - with students' ancestral and contemporary cultures.

To augment their understanding and responsiveness, this involves:

Empowering students to share thoughts

Integrating diverse work and study practices

Understanding student learning needs and styles

Emulating culturally-significant instruction styles, such as oral storytelling

To help you plan and deliver lessons that resonate with a diverse classroom, we'll explain what culturally responsive teaching is and how it is implemented.

We also put together 15 culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples that will resonate with diverse students and foster an inclusive classroom environment.

These strategies are available as a downloadable list below for quick reference so you can reference them during classroom instruction.

Let's start with some simple explanation of what culturally responsive teaching actually means.

What is culturally responsive teaching?

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a pedagogy that acknowledges and embraces students' cultures, languages and experiences - and relates them to classroom learning.

Culturally responsive teachers are actively aware of the various cultural backgrounds present in their classrooms, and act as a facilitator of lessons that can resonate with each.

It is not an easy task - creating this learning environment requires not only a high level of cultural competence, but also an intentional effort to learn about students' backgrounds and cultures.

It can be majorly beneficial to closing achievement gaps between students of different backgrounds and addressing inequities in the classroom. You can also create stronger partnerships with your students by fostering a learning environment where they are represented clearly.

Conditions for creating a culturally-responsive classroom

Reflected in the 15 strategies and examples in the next section, there are four conditions any teacher must fulfill to establish a culturally-responsive classroom, according to an authoritative academic book about the subject called Diversity and Motivation.

As you prepare and deliver any lesson, strive to:

Establish inclusion

This starts by highlighting how the topic you're teaching may relate or apply to students. For example, many societies and cultures have fireworks festivals.

While such a festival runs, you could teach how to calculate speed using fireworks in sample questions. Establishing inclusion also involves regularly grouping students with different classmates, encouraging discussion to solve problems. In doing so, they can share unique perspectives and diverse background knowledge.

Develop positive attitudes

This further focuses on relating content to students. A popular method is allowing them to choose between activities and assessments that let them showcase their values, strengths and experiences.

For example, while providing clear learning goals and evaluation criteria, encourage students to submit their own project ideas.

Enhance meaning

You can bolster lesson content by drawing connections with real-world issues, asking students to use opinions and existing knowledge to address them.

For example, when teaching about government, you could contextualize concepts through municipal political issues. When appropriate, use student jargon to clarify these issues or improve communication in general.

Foster confidence

Make the assessment process less intimidating by offering different ways to demonstrate skills and understanding. For example, avoid handing out quizzes that are purely multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank.

Among other question types, mix in problems that involve writing short- and long-form answers. After, give students time to assess their own progress and performance, helping them focus on growth.

Meeting these four conditions largely relies on using specific approaches, such as the 15 explored below.

15 Culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples

1. Learn about your students

At the start of the year or semester, demonstrating a desire to adapt your teaching style to students can help them feel valued. Because open communication should uncover their learning needs and preferences, try:

Distributing questionnaires, asking about interests

Handing out surveys, gathering information about learning styles

Holding open discussions, allowing students to talk about positive experiences from past classes

Once you've gathered enough information, tell the class you'll focus on adjusting your teaching approach to help them learn as best as they can. Students should quickly warm up to you.

2. Interview students

You'll build a stronger understanding of students' values and habits - as well as strengths and weaknesses - by individually asking them questions. While running a large-group exercise, pull each student aside for a few minutes. Ask about:

Hobbies

Their favourite lessons and activities

Which kinds of exercises help them remember lessons and improve skills

Note what each student says to identify themes and different preferences. Then, when possible, relate content to their interests and deliver lessons that appeal to shared strengths.

3. Integrate relevant word problems

Many students will take a greater interest in math if you use word problems to contextualize equations. Working with 41 7th grade students throughout an academic year, a study published by the Canadian Center of Science and Education used such contextual learning strategies to increase test scores by more than 44%. Create culturally-relevant word problems by:

Including student names to make subject matter relatable

Linking to student interests, such as by measuring the shot distance of a famous soccer player

Referencing diverse cultures, such as by determining the diameter of a specific ethnic food platter

Using these word problem tips will not only help you establish a culturally-responsive classroom, but engage students more than by using abstract questions.

4. Present new concepts by using student vocabulary

Delivering relatable content goes beyond math class. In any subject, you can grab and keep student attention by using their vocabulary to build understanding before moving to academic diction. Let's say many of your students are sports fans with family from soccer-crazed nations. Use a soccer example to demonstrate metaphors in language arts class:
Andrea Pirlo is an eagle on the pitch, armed with vision sharp enough to detect the smallest openings and recognize opportunities his opposition can't.
This kind of culturally-responsive language should open the door to presenting challenging skills and concepts, engaging students while doing so.

5. Bring in guest speakers

Guest speakers can bring context and passion to history, geography and social studies lessons, capturing student interest.

A war veteran could deliver a vivid narrative of his or her experiences. A mountaineer could give a striking recount of scaling Lhotse. Both could answer questions many teachers would struggle with, while engaging students much more effectively than a slideshow.

Plus, according to a study by the Economics of Education Review, students are often encouraged to work harder when they share a background with an educator. So, diverse guest speakers may inherently engage and motivate students who share a culture with them.

6. Deliver different forms of content through learning stations

Whether due to culture, socialization, preference or learning needs, students respond differently to different types of content. You can provide a range of material to each student by setting up learning stations. Each station should use a unique method of teaching a skill or concept related to your lesson.

For example, students can rotate between stations that involve:

Playing a game

Creating artwork

Watching a video

Reading an article

Completing puzzles

Listening to you teach

After going through each station, you can help students further process the material by holding a class discussion or assigning questions to answer.

7. Gamify lessons

Want another way to consistently diversify content and its delivery, appealing to different learning styles? Gamify some lesson elements. Easy-to-implement practices include:

Offering rewards, such as badges, for completing specific tasks or achieving certain scores

Setting a clear learning goal for the lesson, charting progress throughout the class to motivate students

Creating an "instruction manual" for a project, which contains the rubric and best practices for earning a high grade

Plus, gamifying your lessons is a way of making connections with contemporary gaming culture - helping students within this culture process and demonstrate understanding of content.

8. Call on each student

Call-and-response - the practice of asking students frequent questions while giving lessons - usually keeps them engaged, but also enables them to share thoughts and opinions. Involve everyone by:

Encouraging the sharing of personal perspectives, when a question allows for it

Calling on students without their hands up, acclimatizing them to speaking amongst peers

Asking a question after each new point or thought, having a student teach back the concept you just spoke about

By lesson's end, this call-and-response approach should allow each student to speak at least once.

9. Use media that positively depict a range of cultures

Children process content more effectively when their cultures and languages have places in the curriculum, according to an oft-cited academic book about teaching in multiracial schools.

Using media, such as books and movies, that positively depict a range of cultures and are relevant to your syllabus can partially address this need. Finding options through databases such as IMDB or American Literature isn't a tough task.

As a bonus, using different media should boost engagement levels.

10. Offer different types of free study time

Free study time typically appeals to students who prefer solo learning, but many cultures prioritize learning in group settings. You can meet both preferences by dividing your class into clearly-sectioned team and individual activities, such as the following:

Provide audiobooks, which play material relevant to your lessons

Create a station for group games that teach curriculum-aligned skills

Keep a dedicated quiet space for students to take notes and complete work

Allow some students to work in groups while taking notes and completing work, away from the dedicated quiet space

Presented with these options, free study time should appeal to a wider range of learners.

11. Encourage students to propose ideas for projects

By asking students to submit ideas for their own projects, the benefits of choice extend beyond free study time. Specifically, they should build confidence by showcasing their strengths and existing background knowledge.

So, encourage them to pitch ideas for taking a project from concept to completion. A student must show how the product will meet academic standards in his or her pitch. If the idea falls short, give the student ideas to refine it. If the student can't refine the idea, he or she can choose a project from a list of options you provide.

Not only will you be pleasantly surprised by some pitches, but you may generate ideas for future culturally-responsive exercises and assessments.

12. Experiment with peer teaching

There'll almost always be some student vocabulary and communal practices you never pick up on. But you can fill these gaps through peer teaching. Relatively-simple exercises include:

Students who read and discuss story passages with peers recall more content and score higher on assessments, according an Ohio University pilot study. And, according to a science education study, students who work in pairs and groups typically perform better on tests that involve reasoning and critical thinking.

Such results are largely achieved due to students discussing and rationalizing concepts in their own words, many of which belong to contemporary cultural lexicon and are not academic.

13. Establish cooperative base groups

Cooperative base groups - which come from collaborative learning pedagogy - allow students to regularly learn and process content together.

Your role consists of creating groups of three or four, scheduling meeting times and detailing agendas for them. Filling knowledge gaps and encouraging communication is also involved. Students' roles focus on supporting each other while striving to meet learning goals over the year.

While working in base groups, students can:

Review lessons

Take on guided research

Address each other's questions

Complete in-class assessments

The connection to culturally-responsive teaching is the same as peer learning: cooperative base groups encourage students to make sense of concepts you've taught by using their own words and thoughts.

14. Run problem-based learning scenarios

The flexibility of problem-based learning lends itself to culturally-responsive teaching. This is because, when presenting a relatable real-world problem for your students to solve, two cultural connections will typically occur.

1. First, there will likely be a cultural link in the question, whether it's explicit or students make it themselves.

2. Second, because they can apply different approaches toward problem-solving, they may use unique cultural perspectives.

But if you want to create a scenario with explicit cultural ties, consider:

Encouraging students to take historical, sociological and anthropological viewpoints

Framing the problem using ethnic events - for instance, solving logistical challenges of running a heritage festival - in the area

Regardless, the student-centred nature of problem-based learning will allow your class to use culturally-relevant examples and information when appropriate.

15. Involve parents by using take-home letters

Involving parents in their child's learning is a core part of almost any culturally-responsive teaching approach -- they act as the main educators in many societies and can provide cultural context. When starting a new unit or trying out an education tool for the first time, consider sending a letter home to parents.

For reference, here's the letter Prodigy provides to its teachers. This opens the door to parent participation. While not all parents will be subject matter experts, most should be able to provide guidance.

Downloadable list of culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples

Click here to download and print a simplified list of the 15 culturally-responsive teaching strategies and examples to keep at your desk.

Interested in other teaching strategies to deploy in your classroom?

Culturally-responsive teaching strategies overlap in important ways with many other pedagogical approaches. Consider researching other teaching and instructional strategies to help bolster your approach, or combine different elements of each strategy!

Active learning strategies empower, engage, and stimulate your students as they put them at the center of the learning process.

Experiential learning activities, in contrast to traditional learning activities,aim to develop knowledge and skills through direct, firsthand experience.

Project-based learning involves an open-ended approach that sees students work alone or collectively to work on engaging, intricate curriculum-related questions or challenges..

Inquiry-based learning is broken down into four categories, all of which emphasize student questions, ideas and analyses.

Adaptive learning focuses on changing - or "adapting" - content for each student on an individual basis, especially with the help of technology.

Social emotional learning activities help students build social skills, establish healthy relationships and manage their emotions.

Final thoughts about culturally-relevant pedagogy

Delivering culturally-responsive lessons can not only help you engage students, but allow them to make personal connections with content.

Student populations across your school district are comprised of different races, backgrounds, cultural identities and socioeconomic statuses - it's important that teaching practices reflect and embrace these differences.

Greater student investment should lead to other benefits, such as more rigor and motivation. A happier, focused classroom is the ideal outcome.

Prodigy is a digital game-based learning platform that delivers a range of culturally-relevant math content through engaging word and scenario-based problems. Standards-aligned, it's used by millions of teachers and students across the world.

Create your free teacher account

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Culturally Responsive Teaching: Examples, Strategies & Activities for Success

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No single teaching approach will engage each student at once, but building a strategy to consistently deliver culturally-responsive teaching lessons will help you appeal to diverse learners with distinct backgrounds. Rooted in differentiated instruction principles, culturally-responsive pedagogy aims to link content - from delivery to assessment - with students' ancestral and contemporary cultures.

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Using video to allow students to talk about world and cultural issues. Understanding students get news and information from digital sources. Integrating a vetted source that broadens students world approach past their neighborhood streets.

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CNN 10 is an on-demand digital news show ideal for explanation seekers on the go or in the classroom.

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Understanding that culturally responsive teachers also includes being knowledgeable about students who may have experienced trauma. Students who have experienced trauma have a unique approach to school and their experiences frame their performance.

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Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) and trauma-informed practices (TIP) are essential, interconnected approaches for supporting K-12 students, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds who may experience higher rates of trauma.

Trauma-informed practices (TIP) are designed to recognize and respond to the impact of trauma on students' learning and behavior, such as creating communities of support. This approach emphasizes creating a safe and supportive environment that fosters trust, empowerment, and resilience.

By integrating CRT with TIP, educators not only validate students' lived experiences but also provide pathways for healing and academic success, recognizing that addressing both cultural and emotional needs is critical to equitable education.

The Intersection of CRT and TIP

Creating the conditions for culturally responsive teaching and trauma-informed care in K-12 settings is entrenched in three critical elements: recognizing and affirming the cultural backgrounds of students, integrating diverse perspectives into daily classroom learning, and fostering a sense of belonging. To accomplish this, consider trying the following.

1. Create safe spaces. Use seating arrangements that promote inclusiveness (e.g., arrange desks or tables in a circle or U-shape so that students can see each other, which fosters open communication and a sense of community. Alternatively, organize desks or tables into small groups of four to six to allow for collaborative work. Consider providing access to flexible seating options like floor cushions, standing desks, or soft chairs.

Establish norms for respect and active listening. For example, practice listen without interrupting -allow the speaker to share their thoughts fully before responding; use reflection-clarify (paraphrase or ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding and show that you value the speaker's words, such as saying, "So what I'm hearing you say is...").

Create a set of common phrases, visual cues, or reminders that reflect the classroom's values and agreements, while honoring the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students (e.g., "Respect each other's ideas"), and create a poster in multiple languages for the classroom. You might also include language frames like "I hear your perspective, and I'd like to add..." to model respectful discourse, encouraging students to use similar phrases in discussions.

2. Get to know your students, and teach them how to get to know one another. Implement regular check-ins to understand students' backgrounds and interests. Using an informal method like exit tickets or a weekly reflection journal, start each week with a survey or a quick one-on-one conversation to learn about students' current interests, current challenges, and any experiences they wish to share.

Foster peer connections and create opportunities for trust-building and celebration of the experiences of the class-for example, organize a "Cultural Sharing Day," when students share something significant from their heritage or personal lives, or have a "Community Circle," where students take turns speaking about their experiences or feelings in a safe, supportive environment.

Encourage collaborative learning and group projects that celebrate diverse perspectives. Create buddy systems for students to support each other emotionally and academically.

3. Integrate prior knowledge and diverse learning materials into the conversation and content. Build opportunities for student discourse that bring students' stories and knowledge forward-for example, think-pair-share: Give students a question or topic related to the lesson. First, they think individually about their response, drawing from their personal experiences and knowledge. Then, they pair up with a classmate to discuss their thoughts. Finally, they share their ideas with the whole class. Modify according to the age/grade levels of your students.

Implement a "cultural sharing" segment-partner with a translator, if needed, and invite students to share aspects of their backgrounds, such as traditions, languages, or family stories, based on comfort levels during a designated time each week or month. They can use various formats-a short presentation, a visual project, or storytelling, depending on their comfort levels.

Guiding with a Trauma-Informed Lens

While you don't need to know the details about a person's trauma to be able to emotionally support them, it's imperative that in working with diverse student populations, you're aware that many of them and their families have been significantly impacted by trauma. Maintaining a trauma-informed lens with language and behavior challenges teachers to do the following:

Collaborate with students to build community, and make sure you feel equipped to provide responsive classroom management.

Establish clear expectations and routines to reduce anxiety, and use positive reinforcement and restorative practices instead of punitive measures. Create a "positive behavior ticket" system to recognize and reward students for desirable behaviors, which they can redeem for small privileges, and/or hold a restorative circle where students discuss the impact of the behavior and collaborate on ways to repair harm. This promotes empathy, accountability, and relationship-building.

Create quiet areas in the classroom where students can go if they feel overwhelmed.

Have flexible options for choosing and presenting assignments or demonstrating proficiency for a performance task. For example, students might demonstrate their understanding by creating a video presentation, writing a traditional essay, designing a visual timeline, or developing a podcast episode. This flexibility lets students leverage their strengths and interests.

Take the time to recognize and understand trauma and its potential triggers.

Learn how to identify signs of trauma in students and understand potential triggers.

Submit a query email to your school leadership, school counselors, social workers, Special Education department, and other school partners to explore how to implement strategies for de-escalation and support.

Promote the understanding and use of emotional regulation skills.

Teach students strategies for managing their emotions, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, and reflective journaling.

Incorporate short breaks during lessons for students to practice these techniques.

Utilize trauma-informed language-positive, supportive language-and avoid triggering or stigmatizing terms. This takes time, and you can often take cues from your students. Use language that's nonjudgmental, affirming, and empathetic, while being careful to avoid terms that could trigger shame, fear, or feelings of inadequacy in students. Avoid discussing someone "creating a problem" or being a "problem student." Consider an affirming statement like "I notice you're having a hard time focusing right now; let's work together to find a solution," or "It looks like you're frustrated-how can I help?"

Frame discussions around growth and resilience, as well as a belief in the students' worth. For instance, if there's a discussion about challenges, you could share a personal example and note, "Everyone faces setbacks, but it's how we grow from them that matters. I believe each of you has the strength to overcome difficulties, and your unique experiences help make our class stronger."

Another key part of the work is constructing partnerships with families and community organizations to better understand backgrounds and communication styles. Ideas include hosting events that celebrate cultural diversity and inviting community input about curriculum decisions. Partner with local cultural organizations and families to cohost a "Community Culture Night," where families and community leaders are invited to share their traditions, foods, music, and stories. Leading up to the event, teachers could hold focus groups with families to learn about preferred communication styles and involve them in planning.

Building a school community anchored in culturally responsive teaching and trauma-responsive practices first requires building a culture and climate that encompasses how critical these are for true school improvement. Consistent, sustainable messaging, along with reflective practice around one's own mental health, bias, and lived experiences, is crucial in order to teach and collaborate with diverse student populations.

One step at a time, one story at a time, engaging in this work is as rewarding as it is challenging, but your teaching, as well as your relationships with students and families, will thank you for it.

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Integrating Culturally Responsive Teaching and Trauma-Informed Practices

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These culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching strategies can help ensure the academic success of all students.

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Students home life frame the way they approach academics. Becoming aware of Adverse Childhood Experiences and a child's ace score impacts student development. Because of a child's ACE score additional supports may be need to create educational success or emotional wellbeing.

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Overview of adverse childhood experiences, the latest data, and CDC’s approach to prevention.

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As teachers we have to embrace students whose native language may not be English. As a teacher you have to be inclusive and create activities to identify other languages spoken within your classroom. As a classroom community you want to come to a decision on the language that is most inclusive that allows the classroom to communicate. All efforts should be made to include all classroom community members.

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Fostering equity in a multicultural and multilingual classroom through cooperative learning

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This paper presents a programme designed to deepen knowledge regarding diversity and to sustain equality and equity in participation during class activities in high sociolinguistic diversity classr…

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A teacher must be honest with approach. If a teacher has a limited background an honest attempt must be made to grow your pedagogy. Teachers have to look past bias and assumptions and be willing to do a self inventory of their skills and abilities when teaching diverse backgrounds. This may include learning important days, or historical figures.

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Multiculturalism in the Classroom: Assessing Your Environment

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The classroom should be a space that reflects the diversity of its students, fostering a sense of belonging.

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Understand that you must be adaptive to students from around the world. Utilizing "Newcomer Classes" as students become immersed with the English language in a small group setting before they are mainstreamed into general education classes.

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You Are Welcome Here: Supporting the Social and Emotional Health of Newcomer Immigrant Students

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Multicultural classrooms have to include students who may identify as disabled. Creating a space that is accessible and adaptive creates opportunities for success for this student population. Big takeaways for me include making space for students that may have adaptive equipment. This also includes placing materials on accessible shelves, improving classroom sound, or lighting and visuals.

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How to create an inclusive classroom: design and layout

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An inclusive classroom is an educational space where all students have the opportunity to learn, participate, and thrive fully. Learn how to create one.

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As we adapt to culturally responsive teaching, it is our hope that it will increase student achievement. Teachers should be welcoming, and work to build trusting relationships. In doing this we promote equity acceptance and growth.

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7 Powerful Strategies to Create a Thriving Inclusive Classroom - Teach Find

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Create a welcoming classroom environment that celebrates diversity through inclusive decorations, literature, and learning materials that represent various cultures, abilities, and backgrounds. Develop a culturally responsive curriculum that incorporates diverse perspectives, voices, and experiences across subject areas to ensure all students see themselves reflected in their learning. Implement differentiated instruction and universal design for learning principles to provide multiple ways for students to engage with content, demonstrate understanding, and express their knowledge. Engage families as partners in…

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The district I work in is incorporating open and transparent ways to doing business. In the face of our budget crisis our district has hosted roundtable discussions to get community input as to how budget dollars are spent and allocated. This method was selected by our board of education to be inclusive of our diverse community and to allow for awareness of student, teacher, and administrative needs within a school district. It allows them to peel back the curtain and makes the community aware of the process.

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Budget Town Hall: Sources of CPS Revenue

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Children of diverse backgrounds get to be recognized and perform. Students connect through the universal language of music. This includes students of low socioeconomic backgrounds, and other students from diverse backgrounds. The opportunities presented to the students are rich and fulfilling. Partnering with local non-profits Arts Wave, and Activities Beyond the Classroom 145 students are able to display their musical talent.

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This conference was held to hold a brighter and more inclusive future for all of the students we serve. As educators we want to create more choice when it comes to post graduate pathways outside of college. This may include a vocation that involves, construction, hospitality, or technology. This conference also made sure that we recruit and target potential educators and other school support for employment opportunities that are male or of black and brown decent. Also addressed during this conference were student needs for SEL learning and best practices for multilanguage learners.

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Save the Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cincinnati Public Schools Education Center
2651 Burnet Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45219

CPS invites you to join fellow VIPs, industry experts and policymakers for a day of thought-provoking discussions, interactive sessions, engaging sessions and collaboration on the future of education. Together, we'll work towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all students.

Mark your calendar for the Here for Kids 22nd Century Conference, a groundbreaking event where Cincinnati Public Schools is taking bold steps to advance education and equip students for success in an ever-changing world. This is a new era of education in CPS. And we want you to be a part of it!
This year's conference will highlight five key areas transforming the future landscape of learning:

Multi-Language Learners (MLL): Best practices for inclusive, equitable language instruction.

Social/Emotional Learning (SEL): Strategies for supporting students' emotional well-being and resilience.

Academic Outcomes: Cutting-edge instructional methods to improve student achievement.

Career & Technical Education (CTE): Preparing students for real-world success through workforce-aligned programs.

Empowering Black Male Educators: The importance of Black Male Educators in classrooms and their impact to raise student achievement while serving the whole child.

Please Register in Advance

8 a.m. - 9 a.m. - Registration
Coffee, Aiken New Tech High School Agribusiness and Production Systems Program

9 a.m. - Welcome
Introduction - John Chambers, CPS Assistant Superintendent
Remarks - Shauna Murphy, CPS Superintendent
Remarks - Board Member Brandon Craig
Poet Laureate - Manuel Iris
Remarks - Congressman Greg Landsman
Special Presentation - Mayor Aftab Pureval
Location: Interactive Learning Center (ILC)
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Breakout Sessions (See Information Below)

10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. - Networking Break
Light bites, Gilbert A. Dater High School Culinary and Food Services Program
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Breakout Sessions (See Information Below)

Scott Pena, Senior Admissions Counselor, University of Cincinnati
Location: Room 107

The College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH) at the University of Cincinnati is dedicated to making a difference in our communities through outreach, academic programs and community partnerships. Students and faculty work side-by-side with teachers, athletic directors, community wellness experts, cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement officials, because experiential learning is valued as an important element of degree programs. Current research is incorporated into every course to ensure graduates are prepared to address the most urgent challenges of our society. Join this session to discuss how CECH is committed to advancing your career with a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, endorsements and certificates. Flexible courses are designed to strengthen your credentials and support your continued education.

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Networking Lunch Break 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. - Breakout Sessions (See Information Below)

2 p.m. - Closing
Special Remarks - John Chambers, CPS Assistant Superintendent
Location: Interactive Learning Center (ILC)

Sponsorship Support

Why Sponsor?

As a sponsor, your organization will play a vital role in shaping the future of education while gaining valuable exposure to key decision-makers,
educators and community leaders.

Exclusive naming rights (e.g., "[Event Name] presented by [Sponsor Name]").

Logo featured prominently on all event materials (website, flyers, banners).

Opportunity to address the audience during the event.

Recognition in press releases and all media communications.

Full-page advertisement in the event program.

Social media shout-outs on all event channels leading up to the event.

Recognition in all event signage and on-site banners.

Logo prominently displayed on event materials (website, flyers, banners).

Half-page advertisement in the event program.

Recognition on event signage and during the event.

Social media mentions on event channels.

Recognition in event press releases.

Logo included on event materials (website, flyers, banners).

Quarter-page advertisement in the event program.

Recognition on event signage.

Social media mentions.

Logo included on event materials (website, flyers, banners).

Recognition in the event program.

Recognition on event signage.

Social media mention.

Name included in the event program.

Recognition on event signage.

Social media thank-you mention.

Recognition for donations of goods or services (e.g., food, drinks, equipment).

Company logo included on event materials (website, flyers, banners) as appropriate.

Benefits based on the level of donation (e.g., space at the event). Vendor

Recognition in the event program and event signage.

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Here for Kids 22nd Century Conference - Cincinnati Public Schools

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Here for Kids 22nd Century Conference - Cincinnati Public Schools

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Key takeaways include:

Making sure all have the opportunity to represented. In any planned event make sure you listen and learn. Look to create community partners who are willing to aid you in establishing diverse school communities.

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ParentPowered - Evidence-Based Family Engagement

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Culturally Responsive Family Engagement - ParentPowered®

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Culturally responsive family engagement can greatly boost student learning outcomes. Discover ParentPowered’ pathway to family partnership.