When covering historical events, a teacher should not solely focus on the Western historical events but events that include other regions and cultures around the globe. By also covering the contributions and history of different cultural groups it gives students a comprehensive understanding of historical events that have taken place (Maya, 2024) By expanding the cultures that are covered all students will feel included as historical events are taught throughout the school years.

When covering other subjects such as math and science, the teacher can have the class learn about mathematical concepts that were developed in different cultures, especially those of the students in the class (Maya, 2024). This could not only have students feel included and seen of the same background but also introduce the class to new concepts that are not normally taught in math. Teachers can also discuss global environmental issues to give different views from around the world, when teaching science (Maya, 2024).

Gerzon-Kessler, A. (2024, September 11). 5 Culturally Responsive Family Engagement Strategies. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-culturally-responsive-family-engagement-strategies/

Guido, M. (2021, October 5). Culturally Responsive Teaching: Definition, Strategies & Examples. Prodigy. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/culturally-responsive-teaching#:~:text=What%20is%20culturally%20responsive%20teaching,where%20they%20are%20represented%20clearly.

Maya, C. (2024, June 20). Integrating Multicultural Perspectives into the Curriculum. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article-2-integrating-multicultural-perspectives-curriculum-maya-acbme

When having students of different cultural backgrounds, it is important to get to know your students. A teacher should know the background of their students and their cultural traditions. By doing this the teacher will be able to ensure all backgrounds of their students are represented in the curriculum and traditions/holidays are also recognized in the classroom. By doing this it ensures that all students feel included and recognized in the classroom. Teachers should also learn the different learning styles and needs of their students the ensure everyone is receiving the same quality of education.

·       This can be done by giving questionnaires to students to complete with their families, or surveys, or simply having a class discussion where students can speak out their positive experiences and what they liked from their previous class (Guido, 2021).

Teachers can invite guest speakers to their class to further elaborate about topics from different cultural backgrounds that align with the lessons. Guest speakers can bring firsthand experiences and their personal passion to the topic that is being discussed, which can capture the student’s interest even more (Guido, 2021). Though the presence of guest speakers of similar cultural backgrounds it can motivate students and given them a sense of inclusion (Guido, 2021).

Often times students respond differently to different types of content, this can be caused by culture, socialization or learning needs, so it can be beneficial to provide a range of materials to students via learning stations (Guido, 2021). Each station should provide information for the lesson through a unique method of teaching or concept. This can ensure that different learning needs are meet for all learnings during the lesson. After all students have rotated through each station to ensure understanding there can be a class discussion about the lesson or students (Guido, 2021). Since there is no such thing as a one type of learning environment this diverse way or teaching can meet the needs of all students and ensure no students is feeling behind or clueless during a lesson.

It has been proven that students of different cultures and languages process content more effectively when they feel their culture is included in the curriculum (Guido, 2021). For this reason, it is beneficial to use media, like books or movies, that depict the different cultures that are present in the classroom in a positive way. Through the use of different media, it could increase the engagement levels of the students of different cultural backgrounds (Guido, 2021).

Teachers can also have a multicultural library present in the classrooms, that includes different races and cultural backgrounds to promote diversity. This can include characters who live in or come from the same countries as students in the class or books written by a diverse array of authors (11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity the Classroom, 2023).

Another  creative way to foster a multicultural classroom environment is to have a bulletin board in the classroom that highlights a different country or region each month, focusing on the countries/ regions of students of the class would be a great way to have the students feel apart of the class and not excluded (11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity the Classroom, 2023). The bulletin board could include the location of the country or region on a map, pictures and fun facts about the culture there. The teacher could even give students who can relate to the country of the month the opportunity to speak about it or invite a family member to share their traditions with the class.

For younger grades, having a cultural show and tell could be a fun away to celebrate different cultures that are present in the class. With the permission of the parents two to three students can bring something to class that represents their culture and explain the importance of it (11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity the Classroom, 2023). This can introduce new things to the class but also help everyone get to know each other on a personal level better.

While it it common to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in classrooms, to make the class a multicultural environment the class can highlight different celebrations that take place around the world (11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity the Classroom, 2023). To make it more personable it can be those that represent the culture of the students in the class. These holidays can be displayed on a classroom calendar and acknowledged, discussed and celebrated with a craft, treat or a book when the day comes (11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity the Classroom, 2023). Or the class can look at how the same holiday is celebrated differently in different cultures.

To increase engagement with families, teachers can invite families into the classroom to celebrate students learning (Gerzon-Kessler, 2024). This could include an art show, display science projects completed by the class, or listen to poetry completed by students from a poetry lesson.

When discussing different cultures, parents can be invited into the classroom to speak firsthand about different topics and even bring a popular dish that reflects their culture for students to try. By having family members speak on different cultural topics it can be more engaging for students and help them better comprehend verses reading from a text book.

Classrooms, or even school, can also host multicultural fairs and extend the invite to families or even local restaurants to host food, games, crafts and other items that can represent the different cultures of the students of the class. This event can bring families to the classroom, or the school, to share their culture with the class and for it to be celebrated. This event can not only make the students feel included in the school community but the families too (11 Ways to Celebrate Cultural Diversity the Classroom, 2023).