Culturally Responsive Teaching



As with most pedagogical strategies, the "Why" is often researched and laid out far more frequently than the "How". I for one was guilty at one point for the misconception that designing culturally responsive lessons meant that I had to tie it in to the racial backgrounds found in my classroom. It wasn't until I reflected on one of my lessons with one of my professors, that I learned I had been doing it all along. As explained by Zaretta Hammond, the author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, what it really entails is mimicry of the learning styles embedded within the different cultures. She gives a quick explanation on what culturally responsive teaching is and some quick strategies that can be incorporated into any curriculum in the following article found on the cultofpedagogy.com. I for one always count on cooperative learning to enhance my students' experience in class. It makes it possible for me to observe their interpersonal skills which can be very telling of their cultural norms.

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