Hey there, Welcome back to The ♥️ of Teaching. In this show we will dive into the ideas of creating inclusive environments for our students and our dreams of how this could look. We are your hosts Christina & Megan and today we would like to transport you to the ideas of a special kind of classroom. A classroom where all different cultures and language practices are welcomed.
Imagine walking into a classroom filled with colors, voices, and stories from around the globe. A space where differences are not just accepted,they're celebrated.
In this classroom the walls are decorated with books in many languages, posters of traditional dances, and shelves with musical instruments from around the world. The most personilized and welcoming space for every student to feel safe.
In this classroom, every child brings something powerful to the table: their language, their culture, their stories. The teacher brings her students all together promoting ideas of their classroom being a family. She welcomes each student as someone with a story who is full of culture and ready to learn.
Every Friday, the teacher allows for each student to share a piece of what makes them unique. Students take turns teaching the class a word from their home language.
Some examples may include all the ways to say “hello”
spanish speaking student may share: hola→ hello
Italian speaking student may share: ciao→ hello
French speaking student may share: bounjour→ hello
Students may also share cultural foods, and music with their classmates :)
Saying common phrases like hello may seem small but it can make a huge impact because It makes the multilingual students feel heard and seen. It is so important to create an inclusive environment for all students. When the students are able to share and hear their home langauge spoken in the classroom it helps build confidence and provides them with a sense of belonging.
Once a month the school community will also come together in the gym to participate in a Cultural Assembly Celebration, this is a celebration of the many heritages within the school community. Students and teachers are welcome to come and perform dances, sing songs, wear traditional clothing, and share foods from their cultures.
Thank you for listening to our future dreams to share the voices and create belonging for our future students in our classroom and not just to stop there include the whole school community so no student has to feel alone at school.
Stay tuned for our next episode airing Friday at 8pm.
Both: Bye!