Cultural Principles and Pedagogy
Throughout this course we have talked about building a culturally responsive classroom system (CRCS). Keep in mind that the system includes instruction. So, as educators when we begin developing the CRCS that embodies the overall strategy of how we build and teach our courses, we have to force ourselves to think beyond just teaching methods and instruction. That’s where the four keys come into play. They help frame your thinking around cultural responsiveness in a more global manner.
The Principles and Pedagogy Table below can be used as a framework to map culturally responsive principles and pedagogies to the Four Keys to Creating Culturally Responsive Classroom Systems. Simply make sure that the techniques and methods you wish to use to drive the procedures, routines, and climate of your classroom not only align with your style but are explicitly accomplishing elements from both the principles and pedagogy columns for each of the four keys. As long as that alignment is in place, you are well on your way to creating a culturally responsive classroom system. Just keep in mind that your system is responsive which means it will adjust proportionate to you and the needs of the students you serve.
Download the Principles and Pedagogy table
This table helps ensure that actions taken by individuals are aligned to culturally relevant intentional outcomes.
Principles and Pedagogy Table.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [92.9 KB]
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Key |
Culturally Relevant Values and Principles |
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy |
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#1 - Awareness |
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Position the similarities and differences in the experiences of various sub-groups in the classroom as a strength and an asset. Identify, represent, and make room for culturally familiar experiences, roles and situations of your students. Acknowledge the principles and values of their culturally relevant practices. Select materials reflective of their students and their culturally relevant practices. Use technology to create opportunities for oral explanations, narratives, presentations, and other forms of public talk. |
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#2 – Create Learning Partnerships |
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Design social activities and relationships in the classroom reflect a collaborative culture. Share and respect the need to learn from each other. Reinforce that everyone in the class is a teacher, instructor, and knowledgeable about something that is important and relevant. Verbalize that your classroom is a safe-space and that everyone in the class, including you, has a fictive kinship with one another. |
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#3 – Provide Tools to Accommodate |
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Reframe traditional tools with a cultural lens. Develop accommodations that consider cultural tendencies of the students you serve. Develop accommodations that consider the demands on the lives of students you serve, both inside and outside of the classroom. Use accommodations to help boost weaknesses so students can increase their ability to master more rigorous content. |
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#4 – Create a Community of Learners |
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Build a sense of community that encourages the use of collaborative activities and collective responsibility. Make explicit the importance and purpose of learning. Emphasizing to the student who they are and who they can become. Organize learning activities so content is represented in ways that are culturally relevant and socially significant |
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