The need for a culturally responsive classroom is so that no child is left out or falls behind. Again, the teacher must become aware and acquire knowledge about the subject in order to ensure that there are no children that fail or leave the system. I believe that it is very important for a teacher to get to know their students, inside and out. They need to know about or a little of the student's surface (out) and deep (inside) culture. We were speaking of home visits. I understand teachers are extremely busy but maybe there should be a helper or school partner who can help with these home visits. I believe that with help, there may be abuse or neglect of children brought to the attention of those needed or maybe insight of a student's family or home environment will allow the teacher to work out a lesson plan fit for all her students. Knowing more than just what a student brings on paper can help incredibly to make a classroom culturally responsive. I know it's difficult to fight with time, but then again our teachers are superheroes! :)
Teachers can meet the needs of all learners, including culturally diverse students by allowing them to participate in sharing their life, family, or culture. To allow a child to share is giving them the power to be in control and feel significant to their classroom family. Show and tell is much more than bringing an item to school, it's more tell. Students tell classmates about themselves and where they from, which is a part of their deep culture. Something that you might not have known if they didn't bring it to share with their classmates. At the same time, children are expanding their horizons and learning about cultures not like theirs. Incorporating culture, inviting religious leaders, members of different cultures or backgrounds to present to the classroom, integrating culture in the lessons is bringing the world to your children (students). This exploration is feeding the growing minds of children and opening doors for them to walk through discover. It's incredibly simple, takes some initiative, but pays back so much more.
There is no doubt in my mind that I agree with this reading. Students are all different physically, mentally, and culturally. They bring more to the classroom. They bring different views, strategies and insight on subjects because of their background or prior knowledge. Literacy is an important factor in developing these relationships of trust and education in a classroom. Without literacy, how would one communicate? It would be difficult for a student to learn or become aware of their surroundings in their community or classroom. Literacy and development go hand in hand, along with experiences, to help welcome students to a wonderful and diverse changing world.
Speaking of drop outs today, I thought it was incredible to hear the Mayor Castro and SAISD superintendent were out and about knocking on doors to bring students back to the classroom. Just thought I would share this light of hope with others. They called this reaching out event exactly what it was, "Reach Out to Drop Outs."
Author Profile
Patricia Polacco is from Missouri and her culture from her life is reflected in her writings. When Dr. Ferguson read this book in class, all students wrote down the title and author, she was one to keep. The book Thank you Mr. Faulker was inspirational and reinforced our meaning as teachers and duties to our students. Her website provides fun activities for students and author information as well http://www.patriciapolacco.com/ .
Another author I found was Mem Fox. She was introduced to me by Dr. Harris. This author is amazing and she not only provides activities for students, but information for teachers. She has worked at a university and has expressed her beliefs at her website as well. The website is entertaining and informative for students, teachers, and parents. Here is her website: http://www.memfox.com/welcome.html . Some of her books include Koala Lou, Boo to Goose, and Hello Baby!.
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