Culturally Responsive Teaching
I believe culturally responsive teaching begins the first day of school as you are trying to build your community of classroom learners. We always begin our school year with reading “All About Me” themed books and talking about the topic “I am special!” In the past, I haven’t really focused on culture identies as I have done this year. In doing so, I have really seen a difference in the friendships in my classroom. My students seem to be closer to one another and respect each others differences instead of outcasting them because of their differences. I really see an appreciation for culture within my classroom. I think that the culture quilt really brought a lot of this out in the students. We had talked about how each of us were different prior to that activity, but we never really focused on the cultural idenities in the classroom. They learned that even though some of them may look different on the outside from one another, they share some of their identities with other students in the classroom. It was exciting to see them find a little identity within themselves as we shared each others culture in the classroom. I was once one the teachers that said that I didn’t see color. I taught in a school that consisted predominantly of African American students. I loved those students! I felt like they needed me and in return I needed them just as much. When I think back, people would ask me about the class context and I would respond by telling them the racial makeup of my class. So in doing that, I did see color. We all see color and V. Paley has taught me that it is not only good that you do see it, but that it is respectful to recognize it. I DO see color, I don’t judge based upon color. This has been one of my ah ha’s this year. When I look at my identity as a teacher, I see myself as a facilitator. I ask my students a lot of questions and try to guide them to solutions. I rarely tell a student exactly how to go about getting to a particular solution, but I am constantly asking questions to guide them (hopefully) in the right direction. I also see myself as one who offers many hands-on materials for learning in the classroom. I am a very visual learner and therefore I offer those oportunities for my students as well. In addition, I try to be culturally sensitive and I think I have done more of that this year than in past years. I am looking forward to being able to spend more time planning and reading about cultural opportunities I can implement in the classroom for next year. I loved reading the guide to choosing and evaluating books in the classroom. I never knew there were so many things that one should be aware of when choosing books, but it made sense. I close by saying I am not an expert when it comes to exposing and teaching students how to appreciate each other culturally, but I want to learn more about it. Just like Dawn, I’d like to have that grocery list…
