Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

• Culturally Relevant Pedagogy left me feeling inspired and validated for the work I do as an educator.  The video expressed the work I do as an educator so eloquently.  I am the cultural translator that bridges the school culture and the home culture by building on students’ prior cultural knowledge.   I help make connections between what is known and what is to be taught and understood.  The ‘cultural filters’ as they were referred to in the video, is when students try to receive the message from school culture and try to adapt just as the school culture should adapt to the students.  It is not or should not be a ‘one size’ fits all model, as in the sink or swim situation I experienced.   Home language should not be silenced in the classroom, but used as a resource to leverage learning. 

• In my classroom this looks like the use of both Spanish and English to keep up with content while learning language.  Students have literacy text in both languages.  Spanish is used to help bridge understanding and make sense of content.  Students are encouraged to use their native language when necessary, either verbally or written.  

• The series of videos made some great points about bilingualism.  First episode Getting Acquainted states that students should not remain silent just because they do not speak the English language. The educator should find a means of being able to reach that student and establish a means of communication through the students linguistic background.  The goal ultimately, is not to silence the student into learning English, but to make them bilingual. 

• The second episode, Advocating for Bilingual Students showed how the teachers in the classroom went above and beyond to welcome the students in the classroom.  I really liked the language and culture portraits that shows how students identified with language.  The use of the multicultural and multilingual touchstone text is an awesome way for students to see themselves in the books.  Finally, I was touched by the teacher’s honesty when she expressed how she had to let go and become a co-learner with her students.  This act of humility can go a long way with students showing them empathy in the process of adaptation to a culture and a language system that is foreign.  

• The third episode, Bilingual Superpowers was very impressive way to have students create text.  Students are so into the graphic novels that having them create their own through the use of their home language is an ideal way to encourage their creativity and keep their interest level.  

• The quote from the fourth episode, Knowing your students, the teacher was quoted the book they were reading in class to Kill a mocking bird, she took a classic and added her own unique spin to it,” you can never understand a person until you consider things from his perspective, climb into his skin and walk around in it.”  She did this by celebrating the small victories in class helping the students feel accomplished.  She provided scaffolds in their language through prompts and visuals even though she did not speak their language. 
• https://youtu.be/t1gcinsjuZE

• The fifth and final episode, Benefits of Bilingual Education inspired me because my Teach Out project is directly related to this concept.  It sparked some new ideas to use with my students in class.  I like the story, My name is Jorge on both sides of the River.  I could read some touch stone and mentor text, and shows some videos to spark the students with ideas of the benefits of being bilingual so they can brainstorm.  

• Good teaching is just that, regardless if you can speak the child’s home language.  Incorporating the use of home language has many benefits, among them is academic success.