Decorations and Displays

Action Plan:

My goal is to build an equitable classroom environment.  I am going to be inclusive of all cultures and identities.  At the beginning of every school year,  I will designate an area for all students to display something about themselves or anything that might represent their culture.  The students will contribute as they see fit.  Some examples,

• Students past good work

• Pictures of family and friends

• Collages of student interests

• Country of origin representations

Rationale and Reflection:

Having the students personalize the classroom with their own contributions is crucial for them to build community.  I want them to feel like school is a second home.  We want to build a safe space and trust-based community above all else.  If we can build a tight knit community then academic learning will be much easier.  According to Weinstein (2003), "the environment can be used strategically to communicate respect for diversity and cultural representation, to reaffirm connectedness and community, and to avoid marginalizing and disparaging students."   I will also be aware of students who are reluctant to share and are shy or embarrassed about some of the suggested ideas.  I will continue to model empathy and listen to the needs of my students.