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Gay (2010) described culturally responsive teaching as using students’ cultural knowledge and experiences to create more effective learning, highlighting six dimensions that center on empowerment, multidimensionality, validation, comprehensive education, transformation, and liberation. (Budhai & Lewis-Grand, n.d.) This can be done outside the classroom walls as well as online. Going outside to teach a subject or do groupwork is a great way incorporate CRT teaching methods.

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Having different types of seating in an elementary school classroom is important because it supports students’ individual learning styles, sensory needs, and comfort levels. Flexible seating such as bean bags, stools, floor cushions, standing desks, and traditional chairs gives students the freedom to choose what works best for them, helping improve focus, engagement, and overall behavior.

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Sensory toys, fidget tools, and stuffed animals play an important role in creating a supportive learning environment, especially in elementary classrooms. These tools help students regulate their emotions, manage anxiety, and maintain focus. When students feel calm and secure, they are better able to concentrate, engage with lessons, and retain information.

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At the start of the school year, it’s important to create classroom norms together as a class. Students are more likely to follow the rules when they have a voice in helping to develop them with some guidance from the teacher. It's equally important to include a discussion about how students want to be treated by the teacher, giving them a say in shaping the classroom environment. Once the norms are agreed upon, everyone signs the final version, and it’s displayed in the classroom as a reminder throughout the year.

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Students have different needs when it comes to writing effectively and legibly. Offering a variety of pencil grips can help support students, whether they have small, large, long, or short hands. Providing different types of grips ensures that every student has the tools they need to succeed, making the classroom more equitable and inclusive for all learners.

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It’s important to have bulletin boards in the classroom that celebrate all the cultures represented by the students, helping everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.

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Many schools today have students for whom English is not their first language, with Spanish being one of the most common. It’s important to have posters around the classroom that display vocabulary words and classroom items in both English and Spanish, helping students learn and connect with both languages.

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Students learn in different ways, some through hearing, others through visuals, and some through hands-on activities, while many benefit from a combination of all three. To create a more inclusive classroom, teachers should incorporate visual, auditory, and hands-on elements into every lesson to support all learning styles.

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It is important to keep parents informed about what their children are learning, how they are progressing in the classroom, and the expectations of the school, so they can better support their child at home. ClassDojo is a great tool for sharing pictures, newsletters, and important information about the class and school. Parents can translate messages into their preferred language, and teachers can easily translate parent responses back into English, helping to maintain clear and consistent communication.

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Holding student-parent conferences at least twice a year is a valuable way to help parents understand their child's progress and what steps can be taken to better support their learning. It also provides an opportunity to learn more about the student’s home culture and family practices, allowing teachers to build stronger connections and better support the student in the classroom.

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Everyone eats rice is a great after school event for the whole community. Families and teachers sign up to set up a table featuring a rice dish from their culture. They can also decorate the table with anything that showcases their culture. It is a wonderful way for everyone to learn all the different cultures in the community.

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Career fairs are a valuable addition to schools, giving students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of career paths. Parents and community members are encouraged to participate and share their professions, helping to broaden students' understanding of the working world. These events also promote multicultural awareness by showcasing diverse backgrounds and experiences.

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Restorative justice in schools is a transformative approach to discipline that focuses on repairing harm, rebuilding relationships, and fostering empathy, respect, and accountability through dialogue and collaboration. By addressing the root causes of behavior and promoting community building, schools implementing restorative practices see fewer suspensions, improved student behavior, and a more positive overall climate.(Croteau, 2024) It is important to give positive reinforcements throughout the day such as verbal praises, high fives and even just having a conversation about things the student likes to make students feel valued.

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Math offers a wonderful and accessible way to incorporate multicultural learning. One approach is to provide each student with a set of food pictures from various cultures or countries, such as hummus, peanut butter and jelly, sushi, and pita. Students then glue the pictures onto graph paper and, as they interact with their classmates, ask them which food is their favorite. This activity encourages students to inquire about different foods and cultural practices, while also providing an opportunity to graph their peers’ choices. (Howe, W. A., & Lisi, P. L. 2024)

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Science also provides a great opportunity for inclusive learning. When discussing inventors, teachers can highlight contributions from diverse countries and cultures, rather than focusing only on the typical white male inventors often featured in textbooks. Similarly, when studying climates, lessons can include examples from around the world. Incorporating visuals and hands-on activities, like having students create dioramas of different climates or vegetation, helps bring global diversity into the classroom.

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There are many books that represent a variety of cultures, and it is important for teachers to select different books each week to ensure that, over the course of the year, many cultures are represented. Reading Rockets is a great resource for finding culturally diverse books and for accessing tools to support students who struggle with reading or staying focused during reading time. To create a more inclusive classroom and accommodate different learning styles and disabilities, the same book should be explored in multiple ways throughout the week. This could include the teacher reading aloud, listening to or watching animated read-alouds on YouTube, and engaging in popcorn reading where students take turns reading a word or a page based on their ability.

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Incorporating spelling words that reflect the different cultures represented in the classroom helps make learning more inclusive. For example, if "banana" is a spelling word, you could also include "plantain" to acknowledge cultural variations. Similarly, for students from migrant farming backgrounds, including words they might hear or use at home creates meaningful connections. This approach not only validates students' experiences but also helps everyone learn and appreciate the diverse language used by their peers.