Purpose: To explore real-life examples of culturally responsive practices, and to discuss strategies for incorporating student identity, community connections, and authentic learning experiences into school and classroom experiences.
Participants: School leaders and faculty members.
Duration: 30-40 minutes.
Materials: CRS stories from the Culturally Responsive Schooling Website (www.crs360toolkit.org).
Structure: Small group or large group
If needed, remind participants of the norms for discussions.
Norms for Discussion
- Keep the conversation on topic. Refer back to the language in the rubric and the guiding questions as needed.
- Come to an agreement. About one minute before moving on to the next item, the group should reach agreement on a rating (1 to 9). Only one person should record the rating and comments (if needed) for the group.
- Navigate disagreement. Respectful disagreements can lead to more productive conversations. Encourage your group members to share their viewpoint and specific examples, but welcome what everyone says.
- Encourage quieter voices. Ensure every group member contributes to the discussion and all viewpoints are heard.
Facilitation Guide
Today, we will explore different ways that educators experience cultural responsiveness and use it in their practice. Cultural responsiveness means including the different ideas, traditions, and practices of different cultures and backgrounds into our school experiences so that students, adults, and community members feel welcomed and supported.
We’ll listen to examples from educators across the country who discuss ways they incorporate cultural responsiveness into their schools and talk about how we might enhance our own work.
Lets break into groups and choose one story from each category below (time permitting).
Listen to your chosen stories. As you listen, reflect on the educator’s experience and how it does—or does not—resonate with your own. Respond to the discussion questions provided under each audio story. Share examples from your own classrooms and brainstorm ways to adopt/adapt the strategies you hear.
After your discussions, choose one big takeaway from the audio stories to share with the whole group and share one idea or insight you will carry forward in your own work.
Curriculum & Instruction
- Pop Culture Meets Classroom
- Voices in the Curriculum
- Learning Rooted in Community
- Connecting Life & Learning
Diversity
- Celebrating Language Diversity
- Diverse Spaces, Inclusive Learning
- Engaging Every Family
Educator Growth
- Student Input, Staff Growth
- Learning From Students
- Challenging Implicit Bias
- Breaking Barriers, Inspiring Futures
School Culture & Community:
- Field Trips & Identity
- Connecting Beyond the Classroom
- Community Connections
- Learning Rooted in Community
Student Voice & Leadership:
- Empowering Student Voice
- Local Issues, Real Learning
- Together We Set Norms
- Policy Powered by Students