Montgomery, W. (2001).

Creating Culturally Responsive, Inclusive

Classrooms. Teaching Exceptional Children. 33(4), 4-8. (ERIC Document

Reproduction Service No.

The article by Montgomery discusses how many teachers lack the understanding

of cultures other than their own, causing a negative effect in how their students

learn. She talks about the importance of addressing and accommodating different

learners, and to be culturally sensitive in applications of teaching strategies. Her

suggestions for a successful classroom include; the use of culturally sensitive

material, use of instructional scaffolding, and a diversity self assessment for the

teacher, followed by reflection of the assessment. Montgomery also believes in

cooperative learning to aid in inquiry and discovery. She believes in journal

writing and open-ended projects in order to explore topics of interests and how it

relates the lesson to their own lives. The article pointed out different strategies

that could be used in any classroom. I especially liked the diversity self

assessment, and will use it in order to structure my lesson plans in order to be

more diverse.

Hammel, A. M. ( 2004). Inclusion Strategies That Work. Music Educators

Journal. 90, 33-37. (ERIC Document Reproduction No.

In the article, Hammel discusses useful tools for an effective classroom. These

include strategies such as knowing the students, and the special education faculty

and staff. She also mentions how to set up a learning environment built for

success through the use of a least restrictive environment, a well-organized

 classroom, and other techniques which help children to feel a part of the group

while being flexible and positive. The article is intended for music classes, but I

feel implementing the strategies used by Hammel, any classroom can be

successful.

Greenspan, S. (Sep 2005). Inside the Inclusive Classroom. Scholastic Parent &

Child. Retrieved October 10, 2008, from ProQuest

http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.lmunet.edu/pqdweb?did=890672341&sid=4&F

mt=4&clientId=31923&RQT=309&VName=PQD

The article by Stanley Greenspan is really geared toward the parent’s involvement

in the child’s learning process in the classroom, but explores strategies a teacher

should implement in their classroom. He mentions the importance of developing

a child’s “functional-emotional” capacities, which is difficult yet doable in a

diverse classroom. He also points out key strategies a teacher can use to be more

effective. These strategies include; helping with the transition from one stage to

another in development (such as motor development), tailor learning environment

for greater competency, and problem-solving at their own level. The article also

gives helpful suggestions for parents to support their child’s processing skills. I

feel this is an important article because it explains concepts and ideas a teacher

can use outside of the classroom.