Unit 4: Creating Inclusive Classrooms

An inclusive classroom is also one where you attempt to be responsive to students on both an individual and a cultural level. This will largely depend upon the kinds of relationships created between and among you and the students in the classroom. The nature of these interactions will be a function of many factors, including:

1. your assumptions and awareness of potential multicultural and gender issues in classroom situations;
2. your knowledge about the diverse backgrounds of your students;
3. how you plan class activities, including the ways students are grouped for learning; and
4. your decisions, comments, and behaviors during the process of teaching.

In addition, your effectiveness in creating an inclusive classroom will depend on your leadership and the example you set. Through your modeling and direction your students can become more aware of their assumptions, and be more informed, sensitive, conscious about ethnic, racial, and gender issues. Unless students are informed about their own attitudes‚ and the possible ramifications of those attitudes in interactions with others who are different‚Äìtheir fears and reactions can generate tension in the classroom.

Chapter 17: Grace Under Fire: Dealing with Difficult Situations and Students  Chapter 18: Diversity: Including All Learners