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Have you ever had a fellow classmate act this during instructional time? Would you consider this as a problem or do you think he's just showing enthusiasm?
These actions could be corrected with one simple adjustment to the classroom's curriculum... Culturally Responsive Teaching!
Learning Targets:
Describe how Culturally Responsive teaching is beneficial for black students.
Explain why Culturally Responsive Teaching should be utilized in the classroom.
Discuss ways to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom.
What is Culturally Responsive Teaching?
Culturally Responsive teaching is a pedagogy that strives to increase motivation and engagement of students that are culturally different from other students.
*This video provides a better explnation to the topic but focusing on black boys.*
“How is Culturally Responsive beneficial for Black Students?”
Culturally Responsive teaching is a practice for all races, but black students are the focus for this lesson. Historically blacks students are said to have been unsuccessful in academic achievement and socially disadvantaged by their assigned schools (Vavrus, 2008). Culturally responsive teaching acknowledges these disadvantages and implements their cultures into the curriculum allowing students to make profound connections with the material. Thus implementing this teaching style has increased academic achievement amongst black students. Furthermore, this practice stems back to the job of the teacher to properly educate themselves on the effects of culturally responsive teaching and the students historical and contemporary views (Epstein et al., 2011). Without this form of teaching many students would be disconnected from the materials taught in school, which can result in students being uneducated.
“Why Should Culturally Responsive Teaching be Utilized in the Classroom?”
Studies show black boys, in particular, are often seen as “problem” children compared to their peers due to the negative stereotyping (Wright, 2019). While generally when these students act out it’s because they feel misunderstood by the society around them. Culturally responsive teaching corrects these assumptions by providing many benefits for students of color academic success. Students are better able to build connections with the lessons and also help students feel valued and empowered in the classroom, thus improving motivation (Varus, 2008). When this strategy is not utilized in the classroom it creates issues like language barriers, systemic discrimination, and lack of representation amongst students of color (“Culturally”, 2019). To make the lives of students and teachers easier, culturally responsive teaching should be incorporated into lesson planning. Not only is lesson planning important but how the teacher interacts with the students is just as important.
“How to Create a Culturally Responsive Classroom?”
Reflection and Conclusion
Based on the information I have reviewed, I believe it’s highly important to create a culturally responsive classroom. Not only does this create a more comfortable environment for the students but the teachers as well. The teacher’s confidence is increased while teaching knowing that the students are connected and engaged in the information being taught. This indicates that educators generally agree with the effectiveness of this skill being utlized in the classroom (Gay, 2002). The only problem that occurs is that some new teachers are unsure on how to utilize this skill. Though, according to Dr. Traci Dennis, American University has a MAT program that is designed to prepare culturally responsive teachers (“Culturally”, 2019). While this program is a great option, many other schools have programs to teach this skill also. Furthermore, becoming a great teacher starts here! Although this is not a skill enforced at every school, teachers should still take it upon themself to make it become one.
Questions:
What is Culturally Responsive teaching?
a) Connecting black people with classroom.
b) Connecting students of different cultures by increasing motivation and engangement.
c) Connecting students of different cultures by teaching them only about the cultures in that classroom.
d) Teaching about all cultures.
As stated in the video, why do some black students have reading and social gaps?
a) Live in areas with high crime rates.
b) Live in high poverty areas.
c) Parents are not educated.
d) All of the above.
References
(2019, December 5). Culturally responsive teaching strategies: Importance, Benefits & Tips. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/culturally-responsive-teaching
Epstein, T., Mayorga, E., & Nelson, J. (2011). Teaching about race in an urban history class: The effects of culturally responsive teaching. Journal of social studies research, 35(1), 2.
Gay, G. (2002). Preparing for Culturally Responsive Teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(2), 106–116. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487102053002003
Guido, M. (2021, October 6). Culturally responsive teaching: Examples, Strategies & Activities for Success. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/culturally-responsive-teaching/
WRIGHT, B. L. (2019, April/May). Black boys matter: Strategies for a culturally responsive classroom. Retrieved September 14, 2021, from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/apr2019/strategies-culturally-responsive-classroom
Vavrus, M. (2008). Culturally responsive teaching. In T. L. Good 21st century education: A reference handbook (Vol. 2, pp. II-49-II-57).
SAGE Publications, Inc., https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412964012.n56
Question Answers:
C
D
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