The Culturally Responsive Classroom By: Rhonda Phillips

What is a culturally responsive classroom? Allows and encourages diversity among the students and teacher. It provides a safe environment for all students to be themselves and be heard. It provides rigor in the course content by utilizing differentiation strategies. It teaches problem-solving, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills. It incorporates students culture into the curriculum and classroom environment/climate.

Classroom Environment and Climate Includes walls, seating, lighting, sound, materials, and technology –Exhibit student work –Allow the students to decorate the room (with guidelines)

Classroom Environment and Climate Post and make clear rules, routines, and expectations –Allow students to create the expectations for the classroom

Classroom Environment and Climate (cont.) Teach problem solving, critical thinking, and conflict resolution –Group work –Listening and speaking skills Know and understand the leaning needs of all students, including gifted, ELL, disabilities, and socio-economic status –Personal inventory –Learning Style Inventory Recognize opportunities for learning –Be cognizant of the things people are saying and the way they are saying them

Relationships Activities –Cultural Concept Map –Personal Profiles –Describe Yourself in 6 Words Attend events within the communities of your students. –Festival of the Forks *Dont be afraid to know your students

Festival of the Forks A 2-day non-stop festival celebrating Albions community spirit. Shopping, activities, dancing, cultural experiences, parade, and music.

Curriculum and Assessment Student-Centered Instruction and Authentic Assessments ELA –Meaningful Objects –Walking in the Shoes of Others Science –Weather, Weather Everywhere –Diversity in Plants and Wildlife Social Studies –Life Timeline –Ojibwe Dying Quills Designs Math –Graphing Differences –Sweat Shop Math –Heirloom Geometry