Cultural responsiveness is vital when teaching. Everyone has a culture and it is important that, that diverse culture is valued. As a culturally responsive teacher it is important to facilitate students in becoming aware of their own culture and how this culture impact their perception, and the perception of others. As a culturally responsive teacher, I realize that each student walks into the classroom with their own funds of knowledge or out of school experiences that have shaped them. I want to activate these funds of knowledge to create culturally proud student.

         One way I have demonstrated being culturally responsive is by creating curriculum that corresponds to my student’s culture. I had a student who was Navajo, this student discussed a traditional game that she played with her family, called the shoe game. I was then eager to learn more, so I interviewed my friend about this game. I then discovered the enriching curriculum that could be made around this tradition. I found a bilingual book in Navajo and English to read to my students, so they understood the meaning behind the tradition. I then incorporated the game into my math unit. To maintain culturally respectful this lesson can o0nly be taught after the first frost and cannot be played after the first bloom.

      Another way I maintain as a culturally responsive teacher is through my morning meetings. During my morning meeting we focus on different continent every week, and a different country within that continent every day.  We learn about what language they mostly speak in that country and then learn how to greet each other in that language. We also talk about the country’s flag, how many years of schooling students receive in that country, and some fun facts. This allows students to see their relationship to the rest of their world to allow them to become aware of their own culture.

        Being a culturally responsive teacher is important because we want students to be aware of their own culture and see that it can be incorporated into their school life. I think it is important to allow each student to share something about their culture! I also think it is important to take what students share with you and create curriculum based on that information shared. This will create students who value not only their own culture but, they culture of others as well.