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Bridging the Gap through Cross-Cultural Communication and Interhumanism in the Math Classroom!
India White • October 19, 2024
Bridging the Gap through Cross-Cultural Communcation
Bridging the Achievement Gap Through Cross-Cultural Communication and Interhumanism in the Math Classroom
As our classrooms become increasingly diverse, bridging the achievement gap remains a pressing challenge for educators. Research shows that cross-cultural communication and interhumanism canplay pivotal roles in creating inclusive learning environments. By fostering genuine connections with students and understanding their unique backgrounds, teachers can promote academic success for all.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data,
disparities in math achievement persist among students from different cultural backgrounds. To address these disparities, educators must implement equitable practices that cater to the diverse needs of all learners. The Equity Counts! Book collaboration
highlights the importance of fostering inclusivity and reducing bias in educational settings, underscoring the need for intentional efforts to understand students' cultural contexts.
Here are Five Tips for Teachers to Utilize Cross-Cultural Communication and Interhumanism in the Math Classroom
1. Integrate Culturally Relevant Contexts in Math Problems
a. Point of Use: When teaching fractions, use examples from students' everyday lives. For instance, ask students to create a recipe that requires different fractions of ingredients based on their cultural backgrounds, like measuring out 1/2 cup of rice or 3/4 cup of beans. This not only makes fractions relatable but also values students' cultural contributions.
2. Encourage Open Dialogue
a. Point of Use: Create opportunities for students to share how math is used in their cultures. For example, during a unit on statistics, encourage students to present data relevant to their community, such as average family sizes or popular community events. This promotes discussion about how different cultures perceive and utilize math in everyday life.
3. Utilize Collaborative Learning Strategies
a. Point of Use: Organize a project where students work in diverse groups to solve real-world problems. For instance, challenge groups to design a budget for a community event, incorporating concepts like percentages, addition, and subtraction. This not only fosters teamwork but also allows students to learn from one another's cultural perspectives on financial literacy.
4. Celebrate Cultural Diversity
a. Point of Use: Host a “Math Culture Fair” where students can showcase math concepts from their cultural backgrounds. For example, students could create posters explaining how their culture uses geometry in architecture or design. This event encourages students to take pride in their heritage while making math concepts accessible and engaging for everyone.
5. Reflect and Adapt Your Teaching Practices
a. Point of Use: After a unit on linear equations, gather feedback from students on their understanding and engagement. For example, you could ask students to reflect on how well they understood how linear relationships apply to their daily lives, such as in calculating distances or estimating travel times. Use this feedback to adjust future lessons, ensuring they resonate with students' experiences.
Conclusion
By employing cross-cultural communication and interhumanism in the math classroom, educators can effectively bridge the achievement gap. Integrating culturally relevant contexts, encouraging open dialogue, utilizing collaborative learning, celebrating diversity, and reflecting on teaching practices creates inclusive environments where every student feels valued and understood. These strategies not only enhance academic performance but also cultivate meaningful relationships, empowering all students to succeed. Together, we can build classrooms that embrace the strengths of our diverse student populations, ensuring that every learner can reach their full potential.
Are you ready to transform your educational environment and promote equity in your school? Consider signing up for an Equity Training session with Dr. India White tailored specifically for your school district or upcoming event. Dr. White brings a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies that empower faculty and staff to implement inclusive practices that bridge the achievement gap. This is an invaluable opportunity to engage your team in meaningful discussions about fostering equity in your classrooms.
Take the first step toward a more equitable future by booking Dr. White for a training session that will inspire and equip your educators to make lasting changes. Additionally, enhance your understanding of these vital concepts by grabbing your copy of the Equity Counts! Diveristy and Inclusion for ALL Learners Book collaboration. Don’t miss out on this chance to make a difference—your students deserve it!!
Join us on the Let's Get Gritty Podcast with Dr. India White. On this show, we will repeat a show from the Grit and Equity talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we walk through the recently released NAEP data from the National Report Card and speak about moving the needle forward. Listen on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/india-white3 #grit #equity #naep #drindiawhite #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #math #teachers #students
🌟 Just wrapped up an incredible G.R.I.T. Training session with the amazing leaders from Imagine Schools! 💪✨ We took a deep dive into the G.R.I.T. framework, and I can't wait to see the results unfold! 🚀🙌 #drindiawhite #grit #imagineschools #tedx #nctm #ncsm #bwxme 🎉 (I don’t own music copyright
Check out my Feb. 2025 Newsletter!
Thankful for Partnership and Recognition: A Shoutout to Dr. Matthew Joseph and X-Factor EDU Network I am incredibly thankful to partner with Dr. Matthew Joseph and the amazing leadership of the X-Factor EDU Network! It is truly an honor to collaborate with such a visionary leader who is dedicated to amplifying voices in education and creating spaces for impactful conversations. This month, I was deeply grateful to be mentioned in Dr. Joseph’s newsletter during Black History Month. His recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the work we are all doing to inspire and empower educators and students alike. You can check out the newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drmxj_stongertogether-activity-7291502796753809408-0zX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAmqD2wBkz8Qc7EA0bvwxWyMJH2HykCUA-Y But beyond the shoutout, I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead—including the chance to have a podcast on Dr. Joseph’s platform! Partnering with X-Factor EDU Network opens doors to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue championing grit, resilience, and equity in education. Thank you, Dr. Matthew Joseph, for your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Looking forward to what’s to come! 🚀 #StrongerTogether #GRIT #XFactorEDU #BlackHistoryMonth #EducationalLeadership #Thankful
Fired Up for FDLA/FAMTE Keynote: Let’s Build Grit Together! I’m beyond excited to take the stage as the keynote speaker at the FDLA/FAMTE Conference tomorrow! 🎤🔥 We’ll be diving deep into the power of G.R.I.T.—Great Resilience in Time—and how it transforms both educators and students. This opportunity means so much, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported this journey. Grit isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement. It’s about growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management, and it’s what drives success in the classroom and beyond. Let’s empower educators and students across the nation to push past obstacles and embrace productive struggle. Who’s ready to get gritty? 💪🏾 #Grit #DrIndiaWhite #TEDx #FDLA #FAMTE #Education #GrowthMindset
Had an Amazing Time at the Imagine Summit! I had a fantastic time speaking at the Imagine Summit on G.R.I.T.! 🙌🏽 We engaged in powerful breakout sessions, had meaningful discussions about NAEP data, and explored strategies to build **growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management** in education. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought such great energy to the conversations! Let’s continue working together to bridge gaps and empower students through grit and perseverance. 💪🏽 #GRIT #ImagineSummit #Resilience #Education #GrowthMindset #EquityInEducation #drindiawhite
Building Grit in Teachers at the Imagine Leadership Summit I am beyond excited to be speaking at the Imagine Leadership Summit today, sharing insights on how we can build grit in teachers and empower them to foster resilience, self-efficacy, and growth in their students. 🌟 This summit is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with principals and education leaders who are committed to supporting and strengthening teachers. When we invest in teacher grit, we build stronger, more effective classrooms where students develop the perseverance to tackle challenges and achieve success. A huge thank you to the Imagine Summit leaders for this amazing opportunity! It’s an honor to be among such an outstanding lineup of speakers, including the incredible Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr. Join our sessions today and take GRIT with you—because when teachers grow in resilience, our students thrive! #GRIT #Teachers #Principals #DrIndiaWhite #NCTM #NCSM #ImagineSummit 😊
🌟 What an incredible time at the ICTM conference in Indiana! The lineup was amazing, and the energy was contagious! 🎉 Since I missed the snow back in Florida, I embraced it fully here and made my very first snow angel! ❄️ So grateful for the fun and gritty spirit of the ICTM rockstars! Huge thanks to Angela and every rockstar for this fantastic opportunity! 💙 #drindiawhite #grit #ictm25 #math #teachers #students #indiana #nctm #ncsm
✨ Today’s Grit training at Stockton Unified was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time connecting with friends and meeting some incredible rockstars in California. 🌟 I can’t wait to see how gritty Stockton becomes! Huge thanks to Andrew and the tribe for the opportunity to train your amazing leaders. Let’s all take grit with us as we move forward! 💪 #Grit #Leadership #StocktonUnified #drindiawhite #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse
🎊Super excited about this opportunity! Looking forward to connecting with these amazing leaders! 🥰🥳🎉 Please register below and let’s connect so we can bridge the achievement gap together! hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#ncsm hashtag#grit hashtag#math hashtag#teachers