Educate yourself in major cultural differences to learn about the student population. For example, Larri Fish, author of "Building Blocks: The First Steps of Creating a Multicultural Classroom," explains that while Mexican students feel comfortable touching their teacher on the arm, Vietnamese students may not raise their hands or want to participate in class unless called upon. A teacher should learn the nuances of each culture represented in her classroom so she understands the dynamics and learning styles of the students in her room.
Set up a diverse and comprehensive classroom library. Avoid the predictable teaching tools. Find stories from various perspectives that include multicultural and lifestyle differences. Allow students to peruse these books during reading center time and invite a student to choose a new picture book for read aloud twice a day.
Connect with the parents. If some parents do not speak English, be sure to send home classroom letters in their primary language. Try to find an interpreter for parent/teacher conferences. Communicate with parents in many ways, including letters home, emails, phone or even home visits. Encourage and welcome in-class volunteers. Learn about the challenges parents face and steer them toward resources, whether it is a ride to a school open house, a babysitting service or even a number for a food pantry or English lessons.
Encourage learning through multiple intelligences. Because each culture teaches children in various ways, teachers should create assignments where students can feel comfortable participating. For example, while some cultures encourage storytelling, others teach through dancing or art. When assigning a project, invite students to present the information in a way that is comfortable for them. This strategy will allow the class to learn through the multiple tools a diverse classroom brings.