1. English Learners EESL 650University of Alabama at BirminghamSummer-2010 Pieces of the Puzzle Are You Culturally Responsive? Rodney Ragland & Lari Valtierra

2. Objectives The learner will be able to: – Define culture and the role it plays in the classroom with colleagues. – Discuss the impact of culture on ELL’s comprehension with colleagues – Identify ways to become more culturally responsive in his/her teaching with grade-level teams.

3. THINK – PAIR – SHARE What do you know about Culture?

4. What is culture? Culture is a set of common beliefs and values shared by a group of people and that binds them together in a society. All people are members of at least one culture. The norms of a culture define roles and provide a framework that makes people’s behavior predictable and understandable to one another. Jameson (1998)

5. www.indoindians.com/.../misc/iceberg_culture.gif

6. Goals of Second Language or Multicultural Education 1.Teach ELLs to understand US culture. 2.Help ELLs achieve a personal accommodation between their two cultures. 3.Teach ALL students to value language and cultural diversity. 4.Equitably educate diverse learners. Jameson (1998)

7. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy 1.Acknowledge students’ differences as well as their commonalities 2.Validate students’ cultural identity in classroom practices & instructional materials 3.Educate students about the diversity of the world around them 4.Promote equity and mutual respect among students 5.Assess students’ ability & achievements validly 6.Foster a positive interrelationship among students, their families, the community, and school 7.Motivate students to become active participants in their learning 8.Encourage students to think critically 9.Challenge students to strive for excellence as defined by their potential 10.Assist students in becoming socially and politically conscious Richards, Brown, and Ford (2004)

8. Group Discussion The Alamo

9. How do you teach? Are you culturally responsive?

10. How can I be culturally responsive? Be conscious of choice of language Be conscious of images presented Engage in critical & reflexive thinking Learn history & culture of ELLs Collaborate with & visit teachers who are culturally responsive Gay’s (2000) principles of culturally responsive pedagogy

11. Prior Knowledge How does culture affect comprehension in the classroom?

12. Jean et André Jean et André sont frères. Jean est l’aîné. Les deux vont au lycée qui se trouve à moins de cinq kilomètres de leur maison à Paris. Bien qu’il y ait une différence d’âge dr trois ans entre les deux frères, leurs niveaux scolaires ne sont séparés que par deux années. André est en sixième. En quelle classe est Jean? Jameson (1998)

13. Jean and Andre Jean and Andre are brothers. Jean is older. The two go to a school which is located less than five kilometers from their home in Paris. Although there is a difference in age of three years between the two brothers, their grade levels are only two years apart. Andre is in sixth grade. What grade is Jean in? Jameson (1998)

14. Educational System U.S. vs. France United StatesFrance GRADE LEVELS 66 75 84 93 102 111 12terminal Jameson (1998)

15. Always Remember: “Culturally diverse students are empowered or disabled as a direct result of their interactions with educators in schools.” -Jim Cummins

16. References Gay, G. (2000). Culturally responsive teaching: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Teacher’s College Press. Jameson, J.H. (1998). Enriching content classes for secondary ESOL students (National Edition). Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics and Delta Systems. Kersaint, Gladis, Denisse R Thompson, Mariana Petkova. (2008). Teaching mathematics to English language learners. Routledge. Richards, H. V., Brown, A. F., and Forde, T.B. (2004). Addressing diversity in schools: Culturally responsive pedagogy. Tempe, AZ: National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems. Retrieved 12 July, 2010, from www.nccrest.org/Briefs/Diversity_Brief.pdf.www.nccrest.org/Briefs/Diversity_Brief.pdf

17. Instructional Notes Notes to users of presentation: – Materials needed Chart paper, markers – Equipment needed LCD, laptop – Presentation format Departmental meeting – Activities or handouts needed Copy of PowerPoint, Exit slip