- 1). Learn about the cultural backgrounds of the students in your class. Find out how each culture approaches education, what subjects are focused on and how students learn. Consult books, websites and magazines devoted to cultural studies.
- 2). Speak with other teachers in your school who have taught any or all of the students. Ask them if they can provide you with any tools to approach the different cultures in the classroom.
- 3). Speak with members of your community who practice the cultural norms found in your classroom. Ask them how education is approached in each culture and how you might be able to bridge the gap between other cultures in your class.
- 4). Tell your students about your own cultural background. Discuss where your ancestors were from. Talk about the customs that have been passed on from generation to generation in your family. Let your students know how your culture approaches education.
- 5). Tell your students you've been learning about their cultures, but if they're comfortable, you'd like them to explain their cultures themselves. Talking in front of everyone will give your students a sense of empowerment and pride about where they come from.
- 6). Introduce the concept of stereotyping into the conversation. Have a frank discussion about what stereotyping is and how it makes a person feel.
- 7). Ask groups of three or four students to complete a project on a culture other than their own. Some ideas for a project include making posters, newsletters or blogs. When they're finished with the project, have them present what they've learned about the culture to the rest of the class.
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