Culturally Responsive Teaching

Culturally Responsive Reflection

This project has taught me that people come from all different backgrounds and those backgrounds have many different stereotypes that come with it. I feel that knowing what type of background your students come from is important to helping them learn. I believe that children can use the knowledge that they already have to learn new material. I think having students create a digital photostory, as we did, is a great way to help us to get to know them better. I plan to use culturally responsive teaching in my classroom by accepting everyone culture and trying to make everyone feel equal no matter of their race, gender, or background. The Mountaineer video that we watched and the Tall Tales reading both show the way the West Virginia is show negatively in the media. I think that we need to show students that stereotyping is still happening in the world today and that we should strive to eleminate it, especially in a school setting. I feel that teachers often show cultural deficit toward students who come from a different background than them, and I do not believe that this is fair. The teacher in the Purcell Gates reading showed cultural deficit toward, the student Donnie. The teacher assumed that because Donnie's mother was illiterate that Donnie had no hope. However, the teachers in the Moll readings showed their students cultural capital, because they emhrassed their backgrounds. The teachers in this reading used things that the students already knew about from their communities and families to help them learn new concepts. I think that it is important to practice cultural capital in a school setting to not discourage students or make them feel bad about themselves. All students have the ability to learn and should have the opportunities to learn no matter where they came from.

Clinicals

I am starting off by going to the classroom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 ish - 1:00 ish. I plan to get four hours on both days, which will give me eight hours a week. I will have some cheerleading conflicts eventually, which will change my schedule.

Where I am From

Where I Am From...

I am from the hollow where everyone knows your name, from chocolate chip cookies and homemade ice cream.

I am from the house with the red door and black shutters.

I am from the trees that lend us protection, the Potomac River where we often play.

I am from football and open arms, from Harman’s and Maynard’s and Maw and Gee.

I am from summers spent in Myrtle Beach and a love for animals.

From dreaming big and always believing that you can do anything you set your mind to.

I am from a large Catholic church. That's perfect for family weddings.

I'm from the friednly town of Keyser, WV, “Chelsea salads” and hot wings.

From the heart of a generous man and the hands of a woman that are always giving, and my adopted brothers they’ve given me.

I am from working hard to become the best to celebrating the hard work paying off. I am from the memories that will never be forgotten.

Interest Inventory

I wanted to do my interest inventory for elementary students. The one i picked asks questions about the students favorite books, movies, singers, foods, and tv shows. It also asks students neat questions like; "School would be better if..." I also liked this interest inventory because there were pictures on it. Here is the link to my interest inventory. It is in PDF form I hope that is okay! :)