Cultural Empowerment Strategies
Knowing the diversity of your school and classroom is the first step to addressing cultures within your classroom materials. If student data is available prior to the first day, begin with research into socioeconomic status, gender, race, and family dynamics. Get to know your students at the beginning of the school year by conducting student surveys, sending home parent packets, meeting families at meet the teacher night. Once you have a firm understanding of your classroom makeup, you can begin to educate yourself on the various cultures represented there. Check your classroom library to be sure that your students are well represented. Guido (2017) provides a list of culturally responsive teaching strategies you can use in your classroom here: 15 Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies
Additional Resources
The links below provide additional resources on cultural empowerment practices:
.Engaging in culturally responsive practices in the classroom does not end with book selection. Decorating your classroom with posters and decor that represent your students’ unique cultures creates a welcoming environment, as well. When students feel represented and teachers lead lessons that allow students to engage in cultural practices they are familiar with, participation is encouraged.
When teaching, model behavior and provide a visual representation for items that may seem common to you. Allow English Language Learners opportunities to speak as much as possible and engage with their peers while practicing the language. Provide opportunities for students to share their cultures and stories with the class through assignments and projects.
Reflection and Review
Take a few minutes to review this video and then answer the questions below on your PLM worksheet:
(5:37 mins.)
1. What are your own cultural biases? How do they manifest in your classroom?
​
2. How have you engaged student’s unique cultures within your classroom assignments?
​
3. When should a teacher begin to engage in culturally responsive practices?
​
4. What are the four factors that can influence a student's culture?