Beyond Thanksgiving: 5 Steps to Culturally Relevant Education

Culturally responsive teaching is an approach that leverages students' cultural backgrounds and experiences to enhance their learning. It is important because it addresses the issue of exclusion and disengagement often found in classrooms that rely on traditional, Eurocentric curricula. The implication is that by incorporating diverse perspectives, educators can empower students intellectually, socially, and emotionally, creating a more equitable learning environment.

The five steps are: 1. Acknowledge the Need for Culturally Responsive Instruction, which involves recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives and identifying areas for improvement in the curriculum. 2. Get to Know Your Students, which involves understanding students' backgrounds to inform text selections. These steps, when followed, help educators move beyond traditional themes and create meaningful learning experiences for all students. The implication is that by following these steps, educators can create classrooms where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Traditional curricula often rely on Eurocentric narratives, which can exclude or marginalize students from diverse backgrounds. This is significant because it can lead to students feeling disengaged and undervalued. By acknowledging this and actively seeking out diverse perspectives, educators can create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

Ms. Misoni, a third-grade teacher, transformed her Thanksgiving literacy unit to be culturally inclusive. She started by acknowledging the need for change, recognizing the limitations of her existing curriculum and seeking to incorporate more diverse materials. She then got to know her students through interviews and digital storytelling, understanding their unique backgrounds to guide her text selections. The significance of Ms. Misoni's approach lies in her practical application of the five steps, demonstrating how educators can create more inclusive and meaningful learning experiences by intentionally adapting lesson plans.

Getting to know your students involves connecting with them and discovering their backgrounds through methods such as reader interviews, personal projects, and class discussions. This is crucial because it provides educators with insights into students' lives, families, and communities, allowing them to select texts that resonate with their experiences. The implication of this step is that by understanding their students' backgrounds, educators can ensure that the chosen texts are relevant, engaging, and affirming, thereby fostering a deeper connection to the material and promoting a sense of belonging for all students.