In my classroom, I believe that the first step toward inclusivity is ensuring that every student feels a sense of belonging. Every student should feel valued, respected, heard and supported in an environment where they can express their uniqueness and ideas without fear of judgement. However, inclusion is not only about how students feel but also begins with how I present myself as a teacher. It would be impossible to create an inclusive environment for my students if my teaching itself is not inclusive or diverse. To reach an inclusive classroom I will provide a range of activities and resources to highlight individual strengths, and I will strive to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed and grow.
By building strong relationships with my students, I can determine the different learning styles students need in my class. I will provide a variety of opportunities for their understanding of learning to be portrayed. This includes flexible assessment methods, differentiated instruction, and accessible learning materials that cater to a diverse set of learning needs and styles. In my Fur Trade Unit plan we can see various ways to engage with the material; hands-on, videos, audio, pictures, text, pre-prompted questions to help guide them. Having a variety of ways for students to engage with materials provides opportunities for greater understanding, such as visual, auditory and hands on. Allowing students to decide how they want to present their learning will help provide them with the tools they need to succeed. For example, standardized tests may not be the best way to identify a student’s understanding of concepts, but for others a test might showcase a high level of understanding. Allowing other options for students who might not thrive with taking tests, such as oral presentations or an essay would better be suited
Ultimately, my priority is to create a safe space where students feel like they belong and are included, feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, and can engage with the curriculum in ways that resonate with their individual strengths, interests and learning preferences.