Culturally Responsive Teaching by Rylee Gleich

What it IS...

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 14:25:04 UTC

Culturally Responsive Teaching is a method to empower student learning, cultural competence, and critical consciousness. CRT is an approach to teach all students better and more fairly, regardless of cultural background (race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, etc), and to address the barriers among student achievement. Culturally Responsive teaching is associated with the incorporation and goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom, through multicultural instruction. Culturally Responsive Teaching is used to empower students of all backgrounds to become critical thinkers and "lifelong learners." CRT is a shift in the pedagogy of teaching and requires changes in the content and methods of instruction, for the betterment of all students, not only the majority.

What it is NOT...

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 14:25:13 UTC

Culturally Responsive Teaching is not the same as Critical Race theory, which is the idea that racism is embedded in our educational system, and is not "merely the product of individual bias." Culturally Responsive Teaching does not divide and pit people against each other, based on their race; Culturally Responsive Teaching is not a practice of discriminating against white people in hopes of achieving equity.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 14:41:37 UTC

Incorporate the use of books with culturally diverse authors and characters. This ensures that all students have the opportunity to learn and see the perspective of someone from a diverse background. As well as ensuring that students who come from a diverse background feel represented in the classroom. By using and seeing diverse people in the classroom, it gives students the opportunity to see people that may come from a similar culture to them, that may not otherwise be represented typically.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 14:45:37 UTC

Give multiple perspectives, especially when it comes to historical (or modern-day) context. Do not only teach the 'majority' or white people perspective. It is important to give students the full context, especially when it comes to different racial, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 14:49:20 UTC

Incorporate a diverse group of role models for students to look up to. Both with curriculum and in everyday classroom conversation. When talking about important historical figures, do not only pay attention to white figures (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, etc.), but give students diverse role models (MLK Jr., Ruby Bridges, Gandhi, Harriet Tubman, etc).

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 14:51:25 UTC

Classroom codes of conduct are also an important aspect when it comes to Culturally Responsive Teaching. It is important to recognize and understand that all cultures and all backgrounds have different norms for behavior. Cultures, and even home-lives, alter what is considered appropriate behavior. For example, in some cultures a sign of respect is talking quietly or not at all and talking loudly or over another person is considered rude and inappropriate; whereas, in other cultures or backgrounds, it is completely acceptable to talk loudly and over one another. This is just one example where an individual's personal background and experience shapes their norms and behaviors. Thus, teachers and the education system must recognize this and not treat students different based on their individual backgrounds. This is one area where teachers must explicitly teach students the norms and appropriate behaviors for the classroom.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 16:26:37 UTC

Districts have put into practice non-exclusionary disciplinary practices, due to the disciplinary disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The intention of non-exclusionary disciplinary practices are intended to create an environment where students are not removed from the classroom environment or excluded from their peers, when it is not required. Though it is not a formal policy, this is a popular movement in the educational environment where teachers themselves are realizing that exclusionary discipline is not fair among students. So, by moving away from exclusionary practices, teachers and classrooms are moving toward a more equitable classroom.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 16:27:17 UTC

Though it is not a formal policy put into place within the educational system, districts have started to see the importance of SEL learning -- Social and Emotional Learning -- and implementing it into the classroom. It is an important pillar for students to learn how to develop and sustain healthy social skills, as well as creating an environment of acceptance. Social Emotional Learning is important in order to put into practice Culturally Responsive Teaching. However, proper training and education is required in order to teach teachers how to incorporate SEL and Culturally Responsive Teaching into their classrooms.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 19:25:47 UTC

This children's book is centered about Asian looks and how a girl notices she looks different from other kids in her class. The book celebrates Asian features and each individual's uniqueness. The girl also grows to accept and love her (and her family's) look, even though they are different from others'. This story is important, not only to introduce readers to a culture that may be different from their own, but is also important to model how to accept and love one's own culture.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 19:26:20 UTC

Both the author and illustrator of this children's book are early childhood educators and find it important to start the conversation with children about race early. The easy to understand language and illustrations serve as an introduction of all different races and skin colors for children. This book is intended to introduce young children (toddler age) to different races among people. Introducing children to race is important in order to create an accepting culture and to begin the encounter stage of forming a racial identity. This book will also work to affirm children's identity who don't often see themselves represented. Overall, research and educators have found that creating an anti-racist environment starts young, and it is important to incorporate these topics into children's knowledge.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 19:27:27 UTC

Similar to "Love Makes a Family," this children's book also addresses the different makeups of a family. However, one thing that is added in this story is families who may be separated and not live together. I think this is an important addition, because children coming from divorce potentially have vast differences from children coming from a family raised by two parents. I think it is especially important for young children, since a majority of young children are only introduced to the idea that a family means a mom and a dad, and kids, living together. So, by incorporating this into the classroom, opens up more room for Culturally Responsive Teaching.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-27 19:28:06 UTC

This children's book is an introduction to all different types of families and what that may look like to children. The illustrations and story shows families with a mom and a dad, two dads, two moms, and one parent. By showing kids a story about what makes a family and how that may be different to each person, is important in order to show that we all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences that shape our cultures. By children (and adults/teachers) knowing the message of this book, can help foster a culture of acceptance among the classroom, taking into account everyone's different cultural backgrounds, thus incorporating CRT into the classroom environment.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-28 14:53:06 UTC

When creating a Culturally Responsive Teaching environment, it is important to use language that is inclusive to all people. There is inclusive language to consider when discussing race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, as well as disabilities and other situations. It is important to use "person-first" narratives when it comes to describing people, to ensure that certain characteristics are not negatively-defining or limiting people to a certain 'category.' Overall, it is important to use inclusive language in order to appeal to everyone's unique circumstances and to not judge anyone based on their characteristics or circumstances.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-28 14:54:21 UTC

In terms of race and ethnicity, the inclusive and appropriate terms are: white, African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Multiracial, and Indigenous Peoples.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-28 14:57:40 UTC

When it comes to gender and sexual orientation, some of the inclusive and appropriate terms are: proper pronouns (he/his, she/her, they/them), transgender people, LGBTQ+, and assigned sex.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-28 15:00:23 UTC

When it comes to disabilities, both mental and physical, it is important to not define a person by a disability. So, the appropriate language to use when discussing disabilities are: person with a disability, person in a wheelchair, Deaf-person, or Blind-person.

ryleegleich — 2023-09-28 15:01:28 UTC

When it comes to other circumstances, such as poverty or abuse, it is important to use inclusive language as well, such as: person without housing, person living below the poverty line, person who has experienced...

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