Most recent public comments by Dr. Michelle Thompson https://nowcomment.com/users/40473 https://nowcomment.com/documents/101580?scroll_to=1008219 https://nowcomment.com/documents/101580?scroll_to=1008219 Marlaine, I remember several years ago I was in a PD workshop and we were asked to play a game that dealt with communication styles between cultures. Before playing the game, I believed that a student who did not maintain eye contact was disrespecting me. I also thought that students who asked questions and who challenged my decisions were being disrespected until a fellow participant explained that in her culture that was expected-- Children were raised to question EVERYTHING! I wish I could get my hands on that game again because it was truly eye opening! Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:20:23 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/101580?scroll_to=1008202 https://nowcomment.com/documents/101580?scroll_to=1008202 While reading Chapter Two "Using a Culturally Responsive Framework to Meet the Needs of ELS," I got very excited about the possibilities for drawing on students' cultural backgrounds and experiences to make connections to content in my 9th grade English classroom. For example, I always play music to help students transition into a learning space. While I'm taking attendance or distributing materials, I'll play jazz, classical or meditative music. After reading this chapter, I added the music of popular musicians from my students home countries and they really appreciated this very small gesture. Additionally, as I build my class library I intend to include texts in other languages. I am currently on the hunt for magazines, books, and comics written in languages other than English. My students have just completed reading a graphic novel and I've modified my Creative Group Project to enable a small group of Spanish speaking students the opportunity to present their work in Spanish. Since we've ben studying the Civil Rights Movememt and it's leaders, I think it would be really beneficial if they were to incorporate leaders from their home countries who were instrumental in obtaining civil and/or human rights for all people. I was hired in February after moving from Tennessee from Florida so I'm only beginning to decorate my classroom. In order to represent the many beautiful cultures of which my students represent, I would like to find posters, signs, etc. written in English, Spanish, French, Portugese, etc. I am so excited about the possibility of reaching students who I was concerned I would be unable to engage! Tue, 24 Apr 2018 13:10:36 -0400