Mar 02 2008
Culturally Responsive Teaching Web Site
As I read this article, there were many things that I read that I remember talking about last semester. However, there was one area that I found very helpful. It is the portion of the web site that talked about Culturally Responsive Teaching is Transformative. As a teacher, I always tried to respect the diverse cultures that were represented in my classroom. If I could make a connection to another culture, I would, but that was about the end of it. As I read this portion of the web site, I was reading that my planning sequence needed to change. The web site states, “Culturally responsive teaching does not incorporate traditional educational practices with respect to students of color. It means respecting the cultures and experiences of various groups and then uses these as resources for teaching and learning.” I need to start my planning with the various cultures in mind. Then the incorporation of these cultures will be much more deliberate and probably more successful and effective as well.
The one area that bothered me on the web site was the multicultural calendar. They listed Jewish celebrations, Muslim celebrations, as well as celebrations of various other cultures. However, there were no Christian celebrations listed. I am assuming that these were left off because the creators assumed that activities were already included for that area. This morning, my preacher talked about the same thing. We are becoming so tolerant of minority religions and cultures, that we neglect what seems like a majority religion in an effort to affirm the minority. However, when we do that, we make some people within a majority religion feel devalued for being a part of the majority. If we are to be culturally responsive, we must include some of the celebrations of ALL religions and cultures. Not ALL but the majority. I hope that the creators of this web site will choose to include Easter or Christmas as a way of including ALL cultures and religions. We included Passover, why not Easter as well. They both occur around the same time of year in a calendar year. I know I probably stirred up a hornet’s nest with this opinion. But, I truly believe if we are going to be culturally responsive, we must make sure ALL cultures and religions are valued…not just some.
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Well said! I fully agree. As I have seen in your responses in our book study, Jacqueline, you are a very sensitive person and a deep thinker. I think you have exposed the central theme for many people. Often times, the efforts that are made to change old paradigms are ignored or be-littled. We must recognize the needs of all in order to bring about lasting and positive change.