Culturally Responsive

Teaching
By Alyssa Halpin

Why Cultural Responsive Teaching Is Important:

This type of teaching helps link what the teacher is teaching
to the prior background knowledge of different types of
students in the classroom. It keeps the students engaged in
the learning process as well. The students feel they are a part
of the school regardless of their background and cultural
differences.

Communication of High Expectations

Description: Communicating to your students that you always have high

expectations in all aspects of their education. Being consistent with these
expectations for them.
Why its important: Having high expectations is key for students to be
successful because it gives them motivation to do their best and always strive for
success.

Communication of High Expectations

Example: An example of communicating high expectations would be being

specific at the beginning of a new project so students know exactly what is
expected from them from the beginning. They are not left with any unknowns
about what expectations the teacher has.

Student-centered Instruction

Description: Student-centered instruction is when everything taught to the

student is collaborative and students have more choices in their work and projects.
Why its important: It is important because students gain self-confidence,
become self-directed, and are proactive in their learning.

Student-centered Instruction

Example: An example of student-centered instruction would be allowing the

students to pick out their own reading material or their own topic to write a paper
on. This makes the students feel like they are more involved in the learning
process and that they arent being forced to learn things that have no interest or
relevance to their life.

Culturally Mediated Instruction

Description: Culturally mediated instruction incorporates different ways of
understanding, knowing, and obtaining information. It encourages diversity and
cultural differences in learning. It allows the students learning to be relevant to
their own lives regardless of differences.
Why its important: It is important because it allows students to look at things
from different perspectives and viewpoints that may be different from their own
experiences in life or within their culture.

Culturally Mediated Instruction

Example: An example of culturally mediated instruction would be allowing the

students to share what they know about a new lesson topic based on their own
cultural backgrounds. You would allow all students the opportunity to share their
knowledge. The teacher would also actively question and challenge students
beliefs throughout the learning process.

How differentiated instruction aligns with ideas about CRT

Differentiated instruction aligns with CRT because in a way it is making sure the
teaching is differentiated based on student needs to make sure the students have
the best learning experience possible. The ideas about CRT are also in hopes of the
student having the best possible learning experience in the classroom. The goals
are the same for both, for students to be well-rounded and get the most that they
can out of the educational process.