Chapter 1
What did Teresa do when her cooperating teacher gave a simplistic answer to the student’s question?
Teresa intervened to correct the answer, explaining that stress and systemic racism are factors contributing to health disparities, not just culture or diet.
What is culturally relevant pedagogy?
It is an educational approach where teachers set high academic expectations, validate students' cultural identities, and encourage sociopolitical awareness.
What does it mean for students to “sustain themselves culturally” in the classroom?
It means students' cultural identities are recognized and respected, and they are not required to hide or abandon their culture to succeed.
What was the teacher’s initial explanation for why African Americans might have higher blood pressure?
The teacher suggested it was due to eating "soul food," which Teresa believed was an oversimplification and stereotype.
What did Ladson-Billings identify as key components of culturally relevant teaching?
High academic expectations, opportunities to sustain cultural identities, and development of sociopolitical consciousness.
What is the name of the book by Gloria Ladson-Billings?
The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Students
How did Teresa raise her students’ sociopolitical awareness?
Teresa framed health disparities like high blood pressure as a systemic issue related to racism, rather than an individual problem.
What did Gloria Ladson-Billings’ research focus on?
It focused on teachers who successfully supported African American students and developed culturally relevant teaching practices.
What was the question that the African American girl asked?
"Is there a reason that people with darker skin are more inclined to have high blood pressure and things like that?"
What does it mean to sustain students' cultural identities in the classroom?
It means creating an environment where students' cultural backgrounds are acknowledged and respected, without requiring them to suppress their culture to succeed.
What is the importance of relevance in teaching, according to the reading?
Relevance connects new ideas to students' lives, making learning more meaningful and helping them understand the world better.
How does Teresa's response exemplify culturally relevant pedagogy?
She provided a nuanced and accurate explanation, validated students' cultural identities, and encouraged them to understand broader societal issues.
How can teachers incorporate students' cultural backgrounds into science lessons?
By recognizing and leveraging students' language, experiences, and cultural practices, such as using diverse languages or relating lessons to real-life phenomena relevant to their culture.