Culturally Responsive Classroom in 8th Grade Science
8th Grade Science
Harvey Figueroa
Problem Identified: How can a diverse group of learners access the curriculum in a manner that relates to them and makes them feel represented?
Hypothesis: If I use the strategies reshape the curriculum and learning in the context of culture, then student voice and representation will increase as measured by their participation.
Data Collection: Qualitative data.
Actionable Step: Here’s how to use this strategy in your classroom tomorrow:
1. Reshaping the curriculum: The curriculum should be integrated, interdisciplinary, meaningful, and student-centered. It should include issues and topics related to the students' background and culture.
Providing student choice. We provided assignments were often students were provided with the choice of how to engage in the assessments. A cool strategy we used was R.A.F.T.
Often looked for meaningful ways to connect the content to a students everyday experience or a familiar experience. Ex. Connecting cells to the story of “Henrietta Lacks” and the idea of feeling wronged, Human Impacts and how it relates to their neighborhoods (Red Hook, Gowanus, etc.). Using tools that provide student choice (methods of response), tangible & digital.
Conducting lessons where their environment is familiar to them (school yard).
2. Learning in the context of culture: for example, students from some cultural groups prefer to learn in cooperation with others, while the learning style of others is to work independently. To maximize learning opportunities, teachers should gain knowledge of the cultures represented in their classrooms and adapt lessons so that they reflect ways of communicating and learning that are familiar to the students.
Engaging in qualitative data to best meet the learning needs of your students.
Identifying which students often choose to work in groups and or independently.
Creating task that best meet the working preferences of these students.
Overall Findings/Impact:
It is worthwhile to do an in-depth observation of your class to identify the learning styles of your students. Overall, this is something that has caused us to alter the curriculum this year in a meaningful to meet the diverse needs of the current 8th grade student population.
