Discussing Race with Students
Overview
Discussing race with students can range from celebrating the importance of diversity to understanding the impact of racism from the perspective of those who have been historically marginalized. Educators should regularly practice using discussion norms that support active listening and respecting differences during class discussions and academic debates. This supports Social Awareness and Relationship skills and builds a foundation for courageous conversations. Using frameworks like Mirrors and Windows can provide structure for student reflection and deeper discussion. It's important not to single out students, ask them to speak on behalf of minoritized groups, or force them to share if they are not ready. Establishing nonverbal signals allows students to communicate their readiness to speak or level of discomfort with the conversation.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch how these educators use discussion norms, and different resources that highlight multiple perspectives to engage students in courageous conversations around real world issues. Engaging in activities like this can help create environments conducive to more complex conversations about race.
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Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Culturally Responsive Strategies
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Checking in with learners, or taking the time to talk with individual learners about their experiences or goals, is important for fostering a positive classroom environment.
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A first step to supporting learners is truly understanding who they are.
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Family engagement happens when educators and schools collaborate with families to collectively support their child's learning in meaningful ways, both at school and at home.
Learning about students' cultures and connecting them to instructional practices helps foster a Sense of Belonging and mitigate Stereotype Threat.
Selecting culturally responsive reading materials, including multicultural and diverse texts, is critical for supporting all students.
Student-led conferences are meetings between students, parents, and teachers where the student actively leads the conversation by reflecting on their progress toward goals and sharing examples of their work.
Translanguaging is a flexible classroom practice enabling students to listen, speak, read, and write across their multiple languages or dialects, even if the teacher does not have formal knowledge of these additional languages.
