Chapter 1
What did the student in Teresa's class ask about in relation to genetics?
The student asked why people with darker skin are more likely to have high blood pressure and similar health conditions.
Why is the concept of relevance important in teaching?
Relevance helps students connect new ideas to what they already know, making the content more accessible and meaningful to them.
What does it mean for a teacher to develop students' sociopolitical consciousness, as mentioned in the reading?
Developing sociopolitical consciousness means helping students critically analyze and understand social inequalities, such as racism, and encouraging them to examine the role of power and justice in society.
What concept did Teresa bring up to explain why high blood pressure is more common in certain communities?
She explained that stress, particularly due to institutionalized racism, contributes to high blood pressure in minority communities.
How did Teresa demonstrate the importance of cultural relevance in science education?
She intervened to prevent the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and connected science to real-world, systemic issues.
Why is it essential for students to see the connection between science and their everyday lives?
It is essential because students are more likely to engage with science when they understand how it directly relates to their personal experiences and societal issues, such as health, justice, and inequality.
What was Teresa’s main reason for interrupting her cooperating teacher?
Teresa interrupted her cooperating teacher because the teacher was offering a stereotypical and inaccurate explanation about Black culture.
What did Teresa do to sustain her students' cultural identities in the classroom?
Teresa made sure that her students did not have to check their culture at the door and helped them see how scientific knowledge connected to their lives, especially in terms of systemic issues like racism.
What is culturally relevant pedagogy?
Culturally relevant pedagogy is an approach to teaching that recognizes and respects students' cultural backgrounds, sets high academic expectations, and helps students develop sociopolitical awareness.
What does the reading suggest about teachers who are unfamiliar with the dominant culture?
The reading suggests that teachers who are unfamiliar with the dominant culture should recognize their gaps in understanding and take responsibility for learning about cultural differences to be more effective educators.
What are the three core components of culturally relevant pedagogy identified by Ladson-Billings?
High academic expectations, sustaining cultural identities, and developing sociopolitical consciousness.
How does the reading describe the role of cultural knowledge in science education?
The reading suggests that when teachers use students' cultural resources, such as language and everyday experiences, they can enhance learning and make scientific content more relevant and accessible to all students.