9 Things Culturally Relevant Teachers Do
This episode of CRT Tuesday is brought to you by the amazing people at AVID. I was fortunate enough not only to attend the summer institute strand on culturally relevant teaching, but also able to attend this webinar by Patrick Briggs highlighting only nine things that culturally relevant teachers do. Although he had many more than nine, these nine are a good starting point. In summary these are the nine points that I am pulling from the cornell notes I took:
Click HERE to access the webinar and related resources!
- Use WICOR High Engagement Strategies
:) Be the guide on the side! Take a "WICOR Moment"
:( Don't be the sage on the stage, help students apply analyze, synthesize, and evaluate what is going on around them! - Celebrate what you value!
:) Have a bulletin board or section of your class dedicated to students and giving them praise. What about an honor roll breakfast?
:( Don't leave class for a pep rally of sports, celebrate what you value! - Build Relational Capacity
:) "Kids don't learn from people they don't like." Many of us have seen and heard this from Rita Pierson.
:( Don't be a punisher! Students need you to be caring and accept no excuses, and refuse to let them fail! - Utilize Scaffolding
:) Help model backwards mapping and break it down for kids.
:( Don't change content, or just say "Do a 5 page paper." - Left & Right Brain Instruction
:) Take into account all learning styles including left and right-brain characteristics.
:( Don't ignore those that are logical and sequential, or those that are random and intuitive. It's not just about kinesthetic, or visual learners. - Incorporate Movement
:) Let students stand and move. Adults do it, kids need it to. Maybe have a movement center in your classroom.
:( Don't make students just sit and get. - Activate Prior Background Knowledge
:) Ensure students come to you with prior knowledge, give it to them, activate it!
:( Don't just teach about your content, help them make connections across content and life! - Identify and Develop Talents
:) Provide student choice in how they demonstrate their understanding.
:( Don't just do paper/pencil test.
- Consider Seating Arrangements
:) Utilize flexible seating, groups, teams, partners, etc.
:( Don't put students in cemetery rows for sit and get.
- Bonus: Establish Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues
:) Utilize call and response like "When I say SCHOOL you say ROCKS." "SCHOOL"....
:( Don't flash the lights, or yell over kids.
Click HERE to access the webinar and related resources!