Mind Map: 5 Step Action Plan for Cultural Inclusion

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•  It will start with the teachers.  Educators must show good listening skills and respectful behavior in a calm mannor. Students may emulate this behavior from the educator.

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• Teachers should give appropriate time for students (especially ELL students) to give answers to questions. Teachers should value all ideas an opinions from their learners and not give negative feedback on them or always only point out mistakes. 

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• Everywhere in school or involving school activities. Also outside of school it is important that they are treated respectfully by everyone, not only when they are being monitored in class. 

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• At all hours. ELL students who are really shy about speaking a foreign language are vulnerable and do not like their mistakes being pointed out as it makes them self conscious. 

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• It is significant because all students should feel valued and important no matter what their differences are. Also showing disrespect may give a bad influence about foreigners to these young and impressionable children. It is important to be patient as it may take them  while to remember words and we have to give them a comfortable amount of time for them to answer. 

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• Teachers should speak clearly and wait for students to respond. If other students do not show patience with ELL students, the teacher should correct this behavior immediately and make them understand that why it is wrong to do so. 

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• Starts with the teacher. Awareness that not all students come from the same background may help students be more considerate of the ELLs. If teacher is able to model differences respectfully, then students will have a good example.

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• This step helps recognize cultural differences between students and makes them realize that not everyone comes from the same background and giving respect to others are important. This will teach understanding and mutual respect. If students can see the teacher respecting everyone equally, then they will model those behaviors too.

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• In the classroom, out of the classroom, before/ after school, in extracurricular activities. 

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• Ideally every day. Inside and outside classrooms and schools, and it will be modeled in everyday life. 

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• It is important because it is a reminder to all students that they are all unique and different.  As a teacher, it is important to remember that students have different strengths, languages, cultures, and backgrounds that will affect how they grow and learn. They will learn to embrace their similarities and differences and be more understanding of each other.

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• Educators must do some research on the students' backgrounds.This will help them understand their students and how they learn best. This will also create respect and a good relationship between the educator and the student, and these respectful behaviors can be a great example for the other students.

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• The ELL learner is given a chance to become an active participate within the classroom dynamic.  It can start with classroom geography where they can move desks around so they can face their buddies to collaborate, or feel included in a group.

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• Within the classroom or other learning environments. It will take place during all classes. 

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• Ideally this would be an on going and frequent step.  The teacher should design a open lesson at the beginning of the year to get the class familiarized with the ELL's background.  From then it should continue through the rest of the year where all students will be more familiar with ELLs culture and background and have more understanding.

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• Collaboration is key for ELL learners to gain opportunities share and gain skills.  It gives them important social interaction time which can foster understanding and  mutual respect.  By working together and sharing ideas it can promote students to really find their commonalities. 

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• The teacher assigns group projects that integrates the ELL learner. The students also help carry out this step when they are allowed to initiate collaboration with each other. 

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• The teacher will carefully divide the students into groups which will include an ELL learner.  With proper guidance and monitoring, hopefully the activity will allow the ELL learner an opportunity to socialize and work effectively with their classmates.

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• In the classrooms and school grounds or any other classes provided by the school. 

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• At all possible times within the curriculum and school walls. 

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• It is important to allow students to speak and learn about things they are interested in. Students are seen more as independent and individuals. Finding others with common interests increases social inclusion.

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• Teachers should assign tasks that allow student to have a choice.  Students will be able to chose topics that they are interested in and be able to share information however they feel comfortable. Also, ELLs are can work within their comfort boundaries and use language that they already know. 

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• Teachers will carry out this step. Educators must really get to know their students' interests, strengths, weaknesses, so they can have a better student centered learning environment. 

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• Teachers will make projects in which students can use existing knowledge or personal interests. This step helps to increase communication between all students. They can find others with similar interests that could also help each other. 

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• Teachers can create projects where students can use existing knowledge or personal interests. Then give lots of choices so there will at least be one for the students to chose from.

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• When students are more interested in what they are doing, they will go a step furthere, learn more, and have a more memorable experience with the lesson. The outcomes will also be better.

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• It should be implemented whenever possible within the curriculum or even when assigning homework assignments. 

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• In and outside of classrooms. This can help generate interest in specific topics and expand these to areas of their own interests.

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• The teacher or any individual that they would introduce to the classroom. 

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• This step entails teachers assigning tasks that allow students to have a choice in and outside the classroom.  Students will be able to chose topics that are of interest to them and be able to share information in their own way. By doing this, teachers provide opportunities for students to get to know each other better through the discussion of interests. Additionally, ELL learners are able to structure their own participation so that they can function within their relative comfort zones and use language that they know already.