Culturally Responsive Teaching

Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom

February is Black History Month. As we honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history, it reminds us to include culturally diverse messages and images in our lessons and classrooms all year long. When we create a learning environment that includes experiences and perspectives from all students, each child is more likely to reach his or her personal best. This is what Culturally Responsive Teaching is all about.

We can include instruments and stories from around the world in our everyday lessons. We can show how global music has influenced the popular music students hear today. And we can fill our classrooms and hallways with images and messages that represent diverse cultures. When we connect students’ life experiences to what they see, hear, and learn, education becomes genuinely relevant. Children engage and blossom, knowing they are welcomed, celebrated, and seen.

The best ideas come from teachers like you who take the time to share lesson ideas, experiences, and insights. As such, we’ve included a selection of culturally responsive curriculum materials below for teachers, by teachers. To keep essential resources like this flowing, tell us how you weave culturally responsive teaching into your everyday lessons. What have your students connected with most? By being a contributor, you can reach students far beyond your own classroom walls.