8 tips for creating an inclusive classroom culture this year
Shelby KretzShare
It's back to school time again, so it's time for educators to start thinking about how we'll create an inclusive classroom this year. Here are eight simple tips for starting the year off with inclusion and respect for all students.
Don't assume students go by their birth name.
Everyone deserves to go by the name they want to go by. This year, don't assume that students go be their birth name. The name you see on a roster may not be what a student prefers to be called (for many reasons). Allow your students to introduce themselves, and invite them to do privately before class if they want. This can be done creatively during an introductory icebreaker activity or simply by going around the room and asking everyone to share their name! If anything differs from what you have written down, make note of it, and move forward accordingly.
Celebrate student identity at the beginning of the year
This year, celebrate the identity of your students right from the beginning of the year. Your students' unique traits and experiences create a diverse classroom. Take time to highlight these differences! Plan an ice breaker activity to give students a chance to share their uniqueness if they feel comfortable doing so. Some ideas:
This year, celebrate the identity of your students right from the beginning of the year. Your students' unique traits and experiences create a diverse classroom. Take time to highlight these differences! Plan an ice breaker activity to give students a chance to share their uniqueness if they feel comfortable doing so. Some ideas:
- Asking students: What would this chapter of your autobiography be titled?
- Play the game two facts and one fiction where students say three things, and one is false. Then have everyone guess which is false.
- Have students paint or draw a self portrait and share their favorite things about themselves!
Include folks of all different sizes, races, genders, skin tones and abilities in your classroom decorations
Display diverse art and media in your classroom this year! Showcase art, books, and other media in the classroom with folks of different sizes, races, genders, skin tones, cultures, and abilities. Tell stories of different family structures, showcase kids from different countries and religions, and display pictures of people of all backgrounds. Every child deserves to see themselves and their loved ones represented in the classroom!
Use neutral language for caretakers
When referring to your students' families this year, be sure to use neutral language. Don't assume every child has a mom and a dad, or even that they live with their parents. Every family looks different, so ensure that your language reflects that! Avoid words like "parents" and "mom and dad" and instead use caregivers, grownups, guardians, families, or adults.
When referring to your students' families this year, be sure to use neutral language. Don't assume every child has a mom and a dad, or even that they live with their parents. Every family looks different, so ensure that your language reflects that! Avoid words like "parents" and "mom and dad" and instead use caregivers, grownups, guardians, families, or adults.
Ensure the physical classroom is sensory friendly
Create a sensory friendly environment for your neurodivergent students this year. Your classroom should be equipped for a neurodiverse group of learners! Be sure to offer different ways of learning, including visual, hands-on, auditory, and more. If possible, offer alternative seating, such as a cozy corner or some activities on the floor or through movement. Be mindful of classroom lighting and noise level, offer fidget toys or sensory aids, and use visual schedules, labeling, and color coding to reduce cognitive load.
Create a sensory friendly environment for your neurodivergent students this year. Your classroom should be equipped for a neurodiverse group of learners! Be sure to offer different ways of learning, including visual, hands-on, auditory, and more. If possible, offer alternative seating, such as a cozy corner or some activities on the floor or through movement. Be mindful of classroom lighting and noise level, offer fidget toys or sensory aids, and use visual schedules, labeling, and color coding to reduce cognitive load.
Include diverse observance days
This year, make an effort to discuss a variety of observance days from many religions and cultures. Start by asking your students what celebrations are important to them. Then research observance days from outside of you and your students' cultures and religions. Teach about a wide variety of holidays and celebrations. This can lead to incredibly rich learning experiences and new activities for everyone.
This year, make an effort to discuss a variety of observance days from many religions and cultures. Start by asking your students what celebrations are important to them. Then research observance days from outside of you and your students' cultures and religions. Teach about a wide variety of holidays and celebrations. This can lead to incredibly rich learning experiences and new activities for everyone.
Include diverse identities in your lessons
This year, ensure your lesson plans cover a diverse group of historical figures. Are the historical and modern day figures in your lessons as diverse as your student population? Are you teaching about queer folks in history? Black and brown folks? Immigrants? Disabled folks? Indigenous communities? Consider how you can add more diverse people from various religions, races, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, body sizes, disabilities, and more.
This year, ensure your lesson plans cover a diverse group of historical figures. Are the historical and modern day figures in your lessons as diverse as your student population? Are you teaching about queer folks in history? Black and brown folks? Immigrants? Disabled folks? Indigenous communities? Consider how you can add more diverse people from various religions, races, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, body sizes, disabilities, and more.
Share your pronouns with learners
Be sure to use your pronouns in (and out of) the classroom this year! Here are a few ways to include them:
Be sure to use your pronouns in (and out of) the classroom this year! Here are a few ways to include them:
- Place your pronouns on your desk and name tag
- Share them with your students on day one so students feel comfortable sharing theirs with you
- Normalize sharing them in meetings and conferences when meeting new folks
- Use them in your email signatures so coworkers and caregivers see them, too
With these eight simple steps, you'll be building a classroom environment of inclusion and respect for all, and you'll be fostering a class culture of celebrating diversity! Use these as a starting point, and let us know what else you'd add to the list!
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Access free resources and support with Little Justice Leaders. Together, we're creating a space where educators and parents can learn together, grow, and help build a movement to create a generation of changemakers.
Embrace the challenges, celebrate the wins, and remember that every step you take in social justice education is a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future. Your voice and experiences are vital in shaping the next generation. So, keep those conversations going, and let's continue changing the world, one conversation at a time!
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