Addressing Cultural Differences in Education

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title (as applicable): Principles of Teaching

  Course Title: Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction

  Course Number: 8909030

  Career Cluster: Education and Training

  CIP Number: 0713129900

  Course Type: Career Preparatory

  Standard(s) or benchmarks 2

  • 20.02 Discuss multiple cultural, ethnic and racial belief systems that relate to student learning.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson could be taught in a unit focused on personal and widely accepted researched belief systems as they relate to education. This would be the second lesson in the unit used to explore cultural influence in education and how teaching and learning are affected. Subsequent lessons could focus on applying that knowledge to real-world classroom scenarios to gain a better understanding of how to create inclusive and effective learning environments.

• Career Connection

  
  

  Students will explore scenarios where cultural differences are evident and discuss the implications for teaching and learning. Students will also provide possible ways an Educator could approach these differences in a classroom setting in order to create an inclusive and effective learning environment. Knowledge gained by completing this lesson can translate into more effective teaching practices and better awareness of how cultural differences may present themselves in learning environments.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Recognize how cultural belief systems can shape an individual’s approach to education and learning
  • Identify the potential impacts of cultural differences on teaching and learning
  • Evaluate the implications of cultural diversity in education
  • Apply cultural sensitivity and awareness when considering educational practices and strategies

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with:

  • Various instructional strategies used in a K-12 educational setting

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • How do cultural belief systems impact teaching and learning?

• Procedure

  
  

  1. To introduce the lesson, pose the following question to students: “How do you think cultural backgrounds shape the ways individuals approach learning and education?”. Allow students time to jot down their initial thoughts before facilitating a discussion. If needed, the following probing questions can be used to guide the discussion:

  • What is culture?
  • How is culture different from race or ethnicity?
  • What cultural practices or beliefs related to education have you observed within your own community or family?
  • In what ways might different cultural perspectives impact classroom dynamics?
  • What are some potential challenges and benefits of having a classroom with students from diverse cultural backgrounds?

  2. Pass out a copy of the Cultural Scenarios and Addressing Cultural Differences handouts to each student. Explain to students that they will read and analyze short classroom scenarios and identify possible cultural differences that are influencing the learning environment. Students will also provide a “solution” to address these differences while maintaining an inclusive learning environment.

  • Students should read and analyze at least 3 scenarios of their choice.
  • Students can read and analyze scenarios individually or in small groups, at the teacher’s discretion.
  • While students are working, walk around the room to monitor student progress, answer questions, and assess the validity of students’ proposed solutions.

  3. Once students have completed at least 3 scenarios of their choice, group students by chosen scenario or randomly to share and discuss how their proposed solutions create an inclusive classroom while respecting cultural differences. The following questions can be written or displayed on the board for students to reference as they participate in discussion with peers:

  • What is the cultural difference?
  • How does this impact teaching? Learning?
  • Why did you choose this specific instructional strategy?
  • What are common characteristics among your approaches to the scenario?
  • How does your solution demonstrate cultural sensitivity?
  • What if this cultural difference were ignored?

  4. To bring the lesson to a close, students will provide a written response to the guiding question.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • In the opening of the lesson, ensure students understand the difference between culture vs. race and ethnicity. Culture consists of a system of beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, practices, etc. that are shared by a group of people. Race is a social construct based on the physical characteristics of a person. Ethnicity is broad and encompasses shared cultural traits but is not based solely on physical characteristics.
  • The scenario can be implemented in many ways. An alternative is to assign students or small groups of students a specific scenario to address, have them present their solution to the class, and have the class 1) provide feedback on how the solution addresses cultural sensitivity and 2) explain how it creates an inclusive learning environment.
  • If students need support with addressing the cultural differences in the scenarios, encourage them to think about classroom dynamics, instructional strategies, and student engagement.

• Optional

  
  

  Formative Assessment Ideas:

  • Students’ written responses to the guiding question can be used as a formative assessment.
  • The Addressing Cultural Differences handout can be collected and assessed for appropriate strategies that promote cultural sensitivity and an inclusive learning environment.