Instead of the “color blind” approach to instruction where
students’ race or ethnic background is overlooked in the
interests of equality, it is wise for teachers to be “color
aware” in designing their classroom climate and curriculum.
Although students are individuals, they are also products of
their environments—no one grows up in a vacuum. A multicultural
society is best served by a culturally responsive curriculum.
Schools that acknowledge the diversity of their student
population use this model as an effective tool for school
unification, as well as to promote cultural understanding. As a
result, a culturally responsive curriculum is both inclusive in
that it ensures that all students are included within all
aspects of the school and particularistic in that it
acknowledges and respects the unique differences students may
possess. A culturally responsive curriculum also encourages
teachers’ understanding and recognition of each student’s non-
school cultural life and background, and provides a means for th