Monday, April 8, 2013

Embracing Diversity

In Chapter 3, discussing the Culturally Responsive Teaching, I thought really recapped and added to the instruction I learned among my Education 212 course. In any classroom diversity should be embraced and used to enhance the classes learning as a whole. More classrooms are adapting the culturally responsive teaching method as it truly enhances the environment for all students but also better their learning. I thought the 7 characteristics of culturally responsive instruction highlights the necessary work it will take in order to benefit all students' learning. The one key idea though is to make this instruction relevant to all students. When teaching a class this instruction shouldn't just be placed in here and there it should truly be embedded into the curriculum all year long in order to ensure the best possible outcome as well as making the students feel comfortable to learn.

Making students feel welcome in their environment is just a part of the culturally responsive teaching. I thought the chapter's idea of the ABCs of cultural understanding was an interesting take in order to understand your students and where their culture lies. The ABCs of cultural understanding and communication allows for the relationship to be built between teacher and student and possibly family. By starting the communication at the beginning of the year for all students allows for continual growth throughout the year but also uses this knowledge to better the class. The one challenge that I saw for this was getting to know families although it will be difficult to do this for all students I believe it should be very important even for students who are culturally alike to me because all cultures have their differences that lie within them.

In understanding the importance diversity brings to the classroom, this chapter provided me with multiple to ways to go about understanding someones culture in order to embrace the diversity. Through literature, trade books and other resources they can really supplement a students learning. As mentioned within the chapter the knowing from the students is intertwined with the ways of interacting and learning for a culture. It is especially important to go about our instruction to truly encompass all the ways a student can bring in their diversity within the classroom. 

No comments:

Post a Comment