Question

Imagine you are an eighth-grade social studies teacher whose students are learning about the voting process in the United States. What are four ways you could make sure your lesson is culturally responsive?

Answer 1

1. The first step I can take is becoming aware of my own views and biases with respect to the voting process. I can then work to shift my belief into ones that are culturally inclusive and open minded.

2. I can then take time to get to know my students’ diverse backgrounds. This can be achieved by setting times to sit down with them on a one-on-one basis and give them a chance to speak about themselves.

3. During debates and discussions about the voting process, I can ensure that the classroom remains a judgement-free zone by ensuring that the conservation is directed towards learning, not criticizing.

4. In my lessons about the voting process, I can choose content that reflects the different cultures of your students. Lessons should incorporate multicultural information and approaches whenever possible.