7 Principles

Of
culturally responsive teaching
By: Alexis Finch & Aisha Langham

Cultural responsive Teaching

What is culturally responsive teaching & Why is it important?

Culturally Responsive Teaching is a pedagogy
that recognizes the importance of including
students' cultural references in all aspects
of learning.

WHat are the 7 principles of CRT?

*Positive perspectives on parents and families
*Communication of high expectation
*Learning within the context of culture
*Student-centered instruction
* Culturally mediated instruction
*Reshaping the curriculum
*Teacher as facilitator

Positive Perspective on parents & families

This culturally responsive teaching method is about having teachers, students, and parents come together and
form a partnership. Positive Perspectives on Parents and Families wants to help parents become more aware of
how effective they can really be in their students education process. This is important because parents are truly a
childs first teacher and constant communication is important, especially for the child. Involving parents and
families in a childs educational process will definitely have a big effect on the childs academic achievements.

Example: Sending home weekly newsletters is a great way to help keep parents involved in their childs
educational process.

Communication of high expectations

This culturally responsive teaching method is all about keeping the standards high and letting your students know
what you expect of them. Communication of High Expectations informs you of all the people who should be
delivering the message that students are expected to attain high standards in their schoolwork. A couple of the
people listed were, teachers, guidance counselors, administrators and other school personnel. Communication of
High Expectations is important because it helps students develop great self-concept and will cause them to want
to go above and beyond in everything they do. With great help, support, and motivations all students have the
chance to be great and it starts with communication.

Example: Teachers can always write their expectations on the boards so that students have daily reminders. You
can also have students create and sign contracts early in the school year stating all of your high expectations.

Student-centered instruction
This culturally responsive teaching method talk focuses on having the children direct their own learning. It also
allows the children to be able to work with other students on different projects and assignments that are culturally
and socially relevant. Student-Centered Instruction pushes students to be self-directed and proactive. This is an
important method because it allows students to become self-confidence and can ensure that every child is
reaching towards his or her full potential.

Example: Having students work with table member and writing lessons based on the Five Es.

Learning within the context of culture

What? Children that come from homes in which the language
and culture are much different from school may be at a
disadvantage in the learning process. These children often
become alienated and feel disengaged from learning. People
from different cultures learn in different ways. Their
expectations for learning may be different.

Examples of Learning Within the Context of Culture:

1.

2.

Vary teaching strategies by using cooperative learning especially for

materiaa new to the students
Bridge cultural difference through effective communication by showing how
difference among the students make for better learning.

Reshaping The curriculum

Teacher integrating the curriculum, making lessons
meaningful, and student-centered. Teachers should know the
cultural heritage of their students and include references
in the curriculum.
Students are given the opportunity to control some portion
of the lesson, providing teachers with insight into the ways
that speech and negotiation are used in the home and
community.

Example of Reshaping the Curriculum:

1. Building bridges of meaningfulness between school and
home experiences, between curriculum, and social reality
2. Incorporate multicultural information, resources and
materials in all subjects routinely taught in schools.

Teacher as facilitator
Teachers should create a learning environment where the
social, cultural, and linguistic experiences of the students
should be relevant and reflective. Teachers are guides,
counselors, mentors, and advocates for the students. It is
the teachers responsibility to incorporate this type of
learning in the classroom. Teachers must help make
effectively correct their culturally and community based
knowledge to the classroom experience.

Example of Teacher as the facilitator:

2.

1. Incorporate activities to learn about the students culture.

Accommodate diverse learning styles and language proficientcies by varying
teaching approaches.

Differentiated Instruction
Differentiating instruction is finding ways and strategies
to accommodate students and their diverse needs. Culturally
Responsive Teaching calls for the teacher to incorporate the
students cultural background and experiences, and providing
a relevant and reflective learning environment. Making sure
to incorporate different activities that will help students
understand differences, and be able to relate and draw
connections to the outside community, home, and school.