Writing Instruction in the Culturally Relevant Classroom pg 14-41
Writing
Instruction in the Culturally relevant Classroom
By: Brinkley Dickerson
How do we create a classroom that is culturally relevant and
has academic success? Students need to feel accepted and welcomed in the classroom,
while also having academic success. Academic success does not always mean an A+
or complete understanding of the material, but it means they have knowledge of a
subject and can show their knowledge. It is important as educators to make our
classrooms a safe comfortable place for ALL students while also teaching them
academic success.
Winn and Johnson state, “By having culturally relevant
pedagogy in the classroom, it encourages students to bring their outside
cultural into the classroom and feel accepted. Culturally relevant pedagogy relies on
cultural references that are relevant in the lives of students in order to
impart knowledge and skills that will empower students intellectually,
socially, emotionally and politically.” (Landson-Billings, 1994). (Johnson &Winn
2011, 14). This means as educators to diverse students we need to be culturally
relevant teachers and have culturally relevant pedagogy in the classroom. There
are many ways to go about that and some may be more beneficial than others, Landson-Billings
has provided 3 practical approaches to teaching Literacy in the classroom.
3 practical approaches to teaching literacy:
1.
Should validate students’ cultures by all text chosen
from their cultural frame of reference.
2.
Should strictly deal with race and cultural
3.
Should Include standard English to speak and
teach but invite other forms of English- student's home language.
I would like to focus on approach number 3, incorporating standard
English with student’s home language. This is a topic talked about a lot and has
major controversy. Back on having culturally relevant pedagogy in the classroom,
by incorporating home language and standard English, it allows students to express
themselves, especially on those free writing prompts, I am sure we all remember
doing. It’s free writing students should be able to write freely. Many students
who incorporate their home language into the classroom or on their writing
assignments are told to change it and write it in standard English. that does
not help create a culturally relevant classroom with equality. Tests are
everywhere and students must be able to pass them, but there is a better way to
go about telling/teaching a student that.
Current events are a great way to
bring culturally relevant pedagogy and allows students to interact with each
other and discuss topics that resonate with them. With current event projects
and discussions, it leads to bigger conversations and discussions, students
form questions and answers, they may start thinking about things differently than
they once did, Current events shed light on things students may have no prior
knowledge of and allows them to engage in conversations. This current event
activity gets students eager to make a difference, this a way for them to
freely express feelings and want to make a difference.
Questions-
1.
Out of the 3 practical approaches, which one do
you feel is the most important? Based on your answer and your own schooling
experience do you feel your school lacked the most important practical approach?
why or why not.
2.
What are some creative (out of the box) ways you
will create a culturally relevant classroom where students feel welcome and
comfortable? *This goes past culturally relevant teaching, but how your
classroom will be set up, the way you interact with students.
3.
Why is it important for students to be able to
use their home language and not just standard English in the classroom?
Citations-
Gonzalez, V. (n.d.). How to Create Culturally Responsive
Classrooms. Retrieved from https://www.middleweb.com/35762/how-to-create-culturally-responsive-classrooms
Standard 3: Diverse
Learners (Michaletz). (2018, November 21). Retrieved from http://portfolio.blc.edu/michaletz-jane/standard-3-diverse-learners-michaletz/
Winn, M. T., & Johnson, L. P. (2011). Writing instruction in the culturally relevant
classroom. Urbana, IL: National
Council of Teachers of English (1-3)
To answer your 3rd questions, over ten percent of the student population in the United States is comprised of English Language Learners. This means that there is a growing amount of students in the United States who do not speak English at home/ with their families. In a country where languages and ethnicity are becoming more diverse every day, it is important that we learn to adapt and not assimilate. What I mean by this is that we need to work with students and allow them to grow though language that is comfortable to them and through ways that work with them. As the National Council of Teachers of English says, writers should be writing in a language that is most comfortable to them and teachers should be comfortable with this. We should be allowing our students to complete their work in ways that will produce their best work, not just produce work the way that we want or that we feel is right. It is also important that students use their home language because there is no “correct” language to use. There is no right or wrong language, and there shouldn’t be stigmas against differing languages in education. In education, we look for knowledge and what students know, and we are looking to teach students. Rather than take away a student’s language and ask them to conform to what we are used to; we should be adding to their knowledge by adding to the language that they already know.
ReplyDeleteCitation
Professional Knowledge for the Teaching of Writing. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www2.ncte.org/statement/teaching-writing/.
Olivia I love your solid information! I especially like the part where you mentioned, there is no "correct" language, I completely agree with this. English is one of the hardest languages to learn because of all our slang and that many words have multiple meanings and spellings, it's hard to say there is a correct way to speak and write english. I think as educators we need to encourage home language because that is one more tool for us to to use to make connections with our students.
DeleteOlivia, I agree with what you said! I think it is important that students are able to use their home language when writing, not only because there isn't just one correct language, but because it helps to express their identities through their writings. As you said, rather than stripping away a students language and asking them to conform, it is better to allow students to use the language they are most comfortable with, and then continue to build off of it. I think this aligns well with the statement found in the Understand and Teaching Writing article, where the author states "Instructors should identify the strengths second-language writers bring to the classroom and seek opportunities to use these writers' literacy and linguistic practices as a foundation" (National Council of Teachers of English, 2018). I think this shows that we can be using students own languages and writing skills as a foundation or basis within our classrooms and then continue to build off of their knowledge to encourage their development as writers.
DeleteWorks Cited:
National Council of Teachers of English. (2018). Understanding and Teaching Writing. Position Statements.
I really enjoyed reading your blog Brinkley, and I think you brought up a great point when talking about the "free write" prompts we were often given as children, and how teachers are often trying to "correct" the way students write within these as if they are not allowed to use their home language. I think it is important that students are able to use their home language when writing because it encourages culturally sustaining pedagogy, and includes students cultures in their writings. As described in the Understanding and Teaching Writing article, under the Who Are Writers section, it talks about how everyone brings in their own culture and multiliteracies into their writing. It discusses how things like home language, when used in writing, helps to further bring out someones identity (National Council of Teachers of English, 2018). Because of this, I think that we can learn more about our students, and our students can better reflect their thoughts or experiences in their writings when they're allowed to use their home language, and this is something we should strive for in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
National Council of Teachers of English. (2018). Understanding and Teaching Writing. Position Statements.
This is very interesting to read Brinkley! I would like to respond to question three, Why is it important for students to be able to use their home language and not just standard English in the classroom? I think this is important because to me it seems like by allowing them that it shows they can be comfortable in your classroom. When students feel comfortable in the classroom they are more willing to be able to learn more and go beyond what is asked, because they don't feel like they are being left out.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you commented on the comfort of students, and by them being able to use their home language they will have comfort in the classroom. I think we can all think of a time where we did not feel like we fit into a classroom, it could have been because of the people, the topics and a lot of times it is because you just feel like you can not be yourself. I think as future educators we need to work on ways to make all students comfortable in the classroom nd comfortable using their home language.
DeleteMackenzee, I think it's important to note comfort and how that motivates students to speak up or remain closed off. When students feel like they can't communicate due to cultural differences and language barriers, learning might not be taking place. Students could also disassociate themselves from their peers and educators because of low comfort level, which has negative effects on those who don't feel as if they belong. Forming relationships with students is the foundation in the learning process; including students' home language into the classroom can create that bond and trust with each other in order to move forward, learn from each other, and feel a sense of community.
DeleteIn response to your third question, it is important for students to be able to use both their home language in the classroom because it allows them the opportunity to express themselves. By being able to express themselves, they will feel more at home in the classroom and will be more apt to work hard with you instead of against you. It also allows them to maintain their own culture rather than sacrifice what they already know in an effort to assimilate to ours.
ReplyDeleteI know of some teachers who teach the basics of ASL to their students -- hello, thank you, bathroom, etc. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this? Is it beneficial for all of your students to share a means of basic communication, especially in a very diverse classroom where you have several students who do not speak the same language? Or do you think it is unfair to ask students who are already working with maintaining one language and learning another to practice ASL as well?
Brandt, you make a good point by allowing students to use their home language and values in the classroom, the student will be more apt to work hard with you. I think that point isn't stressed enough because when teachers try so hard to code switch or make student assimilate, the students may become very reluctant. Once that occurs, there will basically be no progress made and that student will suffer in the long run. By working with students and valuing who they are, I believe that will make for the most productive learning environment.
DeleteBrandt, I love the question posed, I personally wish I knew ASL, It is something I plan to learn in the future, but I do wish it was something I learned already. I feel like there are times I wish I had the knowledge so I could communicate with others, but I defiantly want to impalement the basic commands and words in my classroom because that is another nonverbal way to communicate with chi8lkdren and another way for all children to be able to communicate with one another, I think ASL is something we should teach at a young age. ASL is not just a way of communication for people who have hearing loss but this is a way everyone can communicate. we use not verbal commands all the time, like putting our pointer finger up to our lips to represent silence. Children understand nonverbal cues and it is something that can be used for all individuals for all types of communication. Very well posed question Brandt.
DeleteBrandt, I remember learning ASL in Kindergarten. It was something that my teacher focused on a lot in the morning time of our class time. Still to this day I can remember most of the alphabet and a few other ones like thank you and hello. Some of the students might be able to communicate better with ASL even if they are still learning another language and maintaining a language. The ASL isn't a super hard so maybe those students would feel more comfortable knowing some sign language when they are struggling to communicate. Great question Brandt.
DeleteI've had the opportunity to serve in a classroom where a good majority of the students had begun school with little to no English language knowledge. Not only did they work hard to get translators, but they supplemented classroom interactions by teaching all students ASL to encourage communication between peers and between teacher and students. While they learned academic and conversational English, the ESL students were able to express opinions and be involved in class discussion. They had a universal language while meeting each other in the middle. ASL lends itself well to the classroom because visual reminders can be placed around the environment. Words, on the other hand, might get easily passed over amidst all the other environmental print already in the room.
DeleteTo answer your second question, I would implement games into my classroom. For example, last semester I mentioned having played Uno in the Philippines, and if only my teachers and classmates would have known that, they could have communicated with me even with the language barrier. Children enjoy playing games, both familiar and foreign. It is also a great way to bond and form relationships within the classroom, benefiting all cultures, from students whose first language is not English to those who only know of their own culture that may be the dominant culture. Social interactions, such as playing games, is the best way for students to gain experience and insight into another culture. If that social interaction is created with respect and acceptance of others, students and teachers could learn more about other cultures, and at the same time, be culturally relevant by celebrating cultural knowledge and awareness.
ReplyDeleteLynne, great post. I do remember when you were talking about the uno last semester and how it brought students and teachers together. I feel like games make learning fun for students. As a teacher we need to find ways to make learning fun like playing games.
DeleteLynne, that sounds like a great way to get students engaged. I am such a firm believer that games and activities like this will get students to feel comfortable and learn more in the end so I think it is awesome that you did that.
DeleteWhat a fantastic way to get ESL students involved without speaking! All that particular game would need is rules modeled through nonverbal actions and cues. Not only does it help students engage with their peers, kids just learn better through playing. And games can help children share their language; in Uno, children can be taught colors, numbers, or phrases like, "Your turn," or "This is fun."
DeleteI love your comment and personal story of a way all students could feel equal and like they fit in. I think a good first day of class getting to know you question is asking what students favorite games are, this will give us insight and help students make connections.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Brinkley! I will be answering question 3. It is important for students to use their home language because it gives them a chance to express themselves and their culture/family. It is important because it will allow them to feel more like themselves and maybe be more willing to participate in the classroom. They will feel safe and more loved than if they were to just speak standard English. A lot of these students are in a tough spot so as future teachers we have to make sure that we are allowing them to be themselves and not make them feel uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteNice job! To answer your 3rd question, I think that it's important for students to use their home language in the classroom because it allows them to feel most comfortable and hold onto that language. We've learned so much about how it is incredibly important to use our students' culture and identity within the classroom and with learning. Language is apart of that and critical in allowing the student to feel special and important while using their home language, even if other students' don't know that particular language. The other students in the classroom will be able to learn from this language they aren't familiar with and it will cause lots of growth in classrooms.
ReplyDeleteTo answer question 3, allowing students to use their home language in the school setting encourages them to remain true to who they are. Our job as teachers is not to turn our students into who we think they should be, rather to support them in who they already are.
ReplyDeleteBy allowing, and encouraging, the use of home language in the classroom we are also teaching the rest of our class to appreciate and respect the differences each other has. This scenario can lead to many cool activities for community building in the classroom.
It is important to let students use their native language because it is apart of them. Some of these students may speak their native language in their home so by eliminating it at school you are taking part of their life away. Also making sure that if they do speak another language and need worksheets or anything put into that language that you are accommodating them.
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