Cultural Responsiveness - What is it?

Is it about being 'Culturally Responsive' or having 'Relationship-based Learning'? 

We started out reading a range of informative articles and light to read. 

First, we all read ... 

Strategies for Teachers to Develop Positive Relationships with Students. By Derrick Meador

Best teacher practice maximises learning potential by developing positive, respectful relationships.

The first thing in the year we need to do is earn their trust. This with mutual respect helps to develop a thriving classroom. 

As teachers, we have to Provide Structure, Teach with Enthusiasm and Passion, Have a Positive Attitude (which is hard when you feel unvalued, you can smile and be positive but you are constantly waiting for the other boot to fall). Incorporate Humor into Lessons, Make Learning Fun (we all wish to have fun all day every day, it makes learning so much easier), Use Students' Interest to Our Advantage, Incorporate Storytelling into Lessons, Show an Interest in their lives, Treat with Respect and Go the Extra Mile.

Then we could pick one of the following, but as I said they were relevant, 
reaffirming and easy to read.

Why Respecting Students Is Essential for Teacher Effectiveness. By Derrick Meador

This article talks about how respecting students boost teacher effectiveness, but our showing respect at all times including tense moments gives them the mana and self-worth to learn. Educators should be adult enough, professional enough and smart enough to conduct themselves in a controlled manner. Teachers must think before they react and choose words carefully. (Who wants to end up on YouTube.) 

It is the old adage - If you don't have anything nice to say better to say nothing at all!

Building Strong, Trusting Student-Teacher Relationships is a must as School should be a safe haven and students should trust all of their administrators, teachers and staff members. Their differences should be valued. We need to have patience and understanding, sometimes the best way to do this is to take a deep breath, think about your response and choose your words carefully before you say anything. Berating and embarrassing students is a sure-fire way to make them feel unworthy preventing learning. There is a difference between having high expectations and unreal expectations. 

Everyone deserves a second chance!

Relationships take time, they don't happen overnight!

Focus on These Four Areas to Create a Classroom Environment Conducive to Learning. By Matthew Lynch

Physical Space

To create an environment conducive to learning you must first focus on the physical space. 

We need to consider: Do we need a mat space, where will students keep their belongings, tables and furniture in mostly moveable but we need to consider body side how students will move in and out or the class... and don't forget the wall space. 

Getting Students to Co-operate

This requires a neat and organised environment helping students to co-operate. Most teachers start with clearly defined rules, routines and expectations, which include transitions from place to place and these usually need to be practised to correct undesirable behaviour. Then these need to be maintained.

Creating a Communal Atmosphere

Everyone needs to feel they belong, and that includes teachers and students, whanau, along with auxiliary staff, Everyone is needed to make a school run smoothly! TO do this we need to take an interest in each other, a real personal interest. 

In the class that means your care include the curriculum, instruction, assessment and society. We need to lead by example if we show we care, it is easier to encourage them to do the same, aiming for collaboration.

Classroom Climate and Culture

Now the class has a sense of community we can build a positive atmosphere to help accelerate learning. We as teachers are constantly encouraging, modelling co-operation and have a focus on individuals and lessons are well-organised, progress smoothly and free from interruptions.