Using Culturally Relevant Texts to Serve Learners and Learning

Goal

As a result of this module, participants will deepen their understanding of the importance of using culturally relevant texts to serve learners and learning.

Participants will be able to apply one or more steps as a pathway to successfully selecting and using culturally relevant texts:

Step 1: Recognize the need for culturally responsive instruction.

Step 2: Get to know more about your students’ lives.

Step 3: Search for culturally relevant texts.

Step 4: Select culturally relevant texts for instruction.

Step 5: Identify critical and personal response opportunities for instruction.

Content

Before

Take a moment and think about the books your students transact with as part of Interactive Read Alouds, lessons, and/or other learning opportunities. Approximately what percentage of the texts you use allow diverse students to see themselves, their families, and their communities in the text?

During

First, watch this TED Talk...

Representation Matters: Diversity in Children's Literature by Shyno Chacko


Next, transact with the following article, taking the time to highlight and annotate what stands out to you. You have several options for your transactions:

Click the link to open the file, then click the “download” arrow at the top right. Save the PDF to your computer, print it, and transact on paper.

Click the link to open the file, then click the “download” arrow at the top right. Save the PDF to your computer. Open the file with Adobe Reader and use the highlighter and note tools as you transact.

If you use Scrible, upload the PDF to your account and transact with it in Scrible. For more on Scrible, visit this module.


As you read, consider the Pause and Ponder prompts embedded in the text:

  • Reflect on the students in your classroom. What types of texts might be relevant to their cultures and experiences?

  • What are some texts you already have that are culturally relevant for your students?

  • How could Web 2.0 resources be used to expand your culturally relevant text collection?

  • What are some critical questions that you have asked, or would ask, when reading texts that reflect the cultural stories or identities of your students?


After

“Talking Point” and “Takeaway”

Respond to the following two prompts:

What is an important point worth sharing with a colleague for the benefit of our entire learning community?

What is a key takeaway for you? What will you do as a result of your new learning?

Interaction/Try-out/Sandbox

Consider...

Reaching out to our Librarians to support you with identifying culturally relevant texts.

Exploring booklists embedded in the article.

Getting to know more about your students and their families, cultures, and lives through reader interviews, digital storytelling, or student-created collages shared in the article.

How each student and his or her family can articulate personal stories that can be shared among the classroom or broader community.

Strategically planning lessons to leverage the cultural fund of knowledge that students possess.

Evidence

Include your “After” responses (“Talking Point and Take-away”) on your Individual Professional Learning Plan 2.0.

Special thanks to Linda Baughman and Michelle Trostle for creating this module.