Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

The achievement gap remains a stubborn problem for educators of culturally and linguistically diverse students. With the introduction of rigorous Common Core State Standards, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement and facilitating deeper learning. Culturally responsive pedagogy has shown great promise in meeting this need, but many educators still struggle with its implementation. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction.

The book includes: Information on how one's culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships; Ten "key moves" to build students' learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners; Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection. With a firm understanding of these techniques and principles, teachers and instructional leaders will confidently reap the benefits of culturally responsive instruction.