Language inclusion.

For students learning colors in lower grades such as preschool or kindergarten, you could have posters with colors that include both the English and Spanish word. Allowing students to repeat both words can help students ELL learners be more comfortable with learning something new.

Guest speakers

Having a guest speaker to come speak to the class about the differences between life cycles in their culture and life cycles in the student's culture is a great way to recognize differences and incorporate it into the curriculum.

Open Discussion

Open discussions allow for students to express their thoughts and feelings freely within the classroom with their peers. This helps students feel connected into what is going on in the classroom.

Cultural expression

Allow students who may be from different cultures to bring something into the class to share with the other students. This could include food, crafts, or any other item that is linked to their culture.

Creating relationships with students and ensuring that they feel respected and valued can allow for that student to feel a better connection with you as an educator (Gocke, 2025). You can build these connections by talking about something that interests the child and making a connection from your life to it.

Create a welcoming environment

Creating a classroom that is welcoming to all communities and cultures is an important teaching method. Including books from different cultures and backgrounds in the classroom library as well as posters from these cultures is a great way to teach these cultures and include them (Gocke, 2025).

Open communication

Creating meaningful relationships that allow for open communication is the key for making culturally respectful relationships. When a student feels comfortable in talking to you, they are more likely to share their interests and express their thoughts and feelings about their culture.

Activate prior knowledge

Every student has prior knowledge of something going into a new classroom. It is important to draw on those previous experiences to make connections and influence group discussions (Gocke, 2025).

Gocke, M. (2025). Culturally responsive teaching: 5 strategies for educators. Northeastern University Graduate Programs. https://graduate.northeastern.edu/knowledge-hub/culturally-responsive-teaching-strategies/

Having inclusive posters throughout the classroom can help a student of different cultural backgrounds feel more comfortable within the class.

Cultural music

When playing music or giving students a brain break, it is important to incorporate music, and brain breaks from different cultures. This includes traditional songs or dances from other cultures that could spark meaningful conversations with students and allow them to learn more about the diverse cultures.

Different Learning Styles

Using multiple types of learning styles in your teaching helps to meet the needs of all students (Reach and Teach, 2023). Every student learns differently, ensuring that multiple styles are included gives each student a better learning opportunity.

Promote Equality

Ensuring that your classroom environment is free of bias and stereotypes can promote fairness and an equal learning opportunity for all students (Reach and Teach, 2023).

Reach and Teach. (2023). Teaching in a multicultural classroom: Embracing diversity and creating inclusive learning environments. Teaching Jobs Abroad. https://www.reachandteach.net/post/teaching-in-a-multicultural-classroom-embracing-diversity-and-creating-inclusive-learning-environments

Open house is a night where families and students come in the school building to find their classroom and meet their new teacher for the new school year. This is typically held the night before the first day of school. This opportunity allows students to watch relationships between their families and educators be created as well as create a relationship of their own. Students also get familiar with their classroom and learn where they should go.

Community Night

Community night is an event welcome to everyone in the community. This event is completely free and held at the school. The event has live bands, food, inflatables, many games, and much more. The whole purpose of this event is to bring staff and community members together to form relationships and get to know one another better.

Food Drive

Holding food drives allows to serve members in the community. Having staff members or other personnel from the community to volunteer to gather food and donate it to local families in need is a great way to build relationships with people in the community. It also serves as an opportunity to see people's needs and meet them in any way possible.

Carnival

Having a school carnival is a great way to build community relationships. Having a trunk or treat at the school gives students and families a safe place to trick or treat and come together to form relationships. Serving food and having space for families to eat together can also encourage communication and allow families to engage with one another.