The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.
Preparing for Diversity: Resources for Teachers (Student Engagement blog, Edutopia, 8/29/13)
August 29, 2013
Teachers often wonder how they can most effectively and appropriately address the needs of students from diverse backgrounds in one classroom. Although no one approach works for all situations, Matt Davis writes in this Edutopia blog that, if you’re looking for answers, start with Harvard Family Research Project’s How Teachers Can Prepare to Work with Culturally Diverse Students and Their Families. He follows this recommendation by suggesting 5 other important resources to help teachers prepare for success working with students from very different backgrounds.
Featuring research from leading diversity education leaders, How Teachers Can Prepare to Work with Culturally Diverse Students and Their Families includes a broad range of researchers’ tips and strategies that teachers can use in the classroom, including the following:
- Develop a strong rapport with children and their families;
- Build on the knowledge that students bring into classrooms, particularly the knowledge that has been shaped by their family, community, and cultural histories;
- Rely on the perspectives and observations of family members to gain a deeper understanding of each student; and
- Learn new ways of approaching parent–teacher conferences, including new strategies for preparing for the time together, asking and answering questions, developing “shared meaning” and vocabulary, and encouraging comfortable and positive communication.
Read Preparing for Cultural Diversity: Resources for Teachers and How Teachers Can Prepare to Work with Culturally Diverse Students and Their Families.