With partners:
Teacher Snapshot 1
These teachers’ observations highlight the importance of knowing some of the daily routines and customs of students from culturally diverse backgrounds, such as during Ramadan.
TEACHER: Understanding their background is important as a teacher. With Ramadan… you have to know their culture. I had a girl this week ask if she could wash her mouth out with water. And I looked at her, like, what are you going on about? And she told me that she was fasting and couldn’t drink…
TEACHER: …I’ve found that the last few years I’ve learnt a lot about what it’s like to be Muslim. I had a student who brought in the Koran and wanted to read part of it. I’ve found out about Ramadan. For me it’s been a growth too.
TEACHER: I have taught myself some Arabic greeting words and have researched cultural norms so as to be aware of how to conduct myself when dealing with Arabic-speaking parents.