Pedagogical Stance: Multiple Perspectives Inquiry

Why are different perspectives/points of view critical to learning?

Building off the idea that social and emotional community development allows students to be the best learners they can be, the next critial pedagogical stance which drives me in the classroom is allowing students to see things through different lenses. 

Perspective based inquiries or approaches are not restricted to any one subject area but can be brought into every aspect of a students' daily learning experience. 

I strive to do the same through strong conflict resolution techniques during community circle, designing lessons that allow students to see multiple points of view of a historical event, by introducing them to texts from diverse authors, and even during math instruction where students can see how someone else has method of analysis or problem solving that is entirely unique, but just as effective. 

Social Studies

“The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in interdependent world.” NCSS Standards

CGI Math

"Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) is a student-centered approach to teaching math. It starts with what your students already know and builds on their natural number sense and intuitive approaches to problem solving. Rather than a math program or curriculum, CGI is a way of listening to students, asking smart questions, and engaging with their thinking—all with the goal of uncovering and expanding every student’s mathematical understanding." - CGI Math 


"They will actively seek the wide, deep, and thoughtful engagement with high-quality literary and informational texts that builds knowledge, enlarges experience, and broadens worldviews."  - NYS Common Core ELA Standards

Teaching Practice

Perspectives and Point of View

Radhika Hira teaching the Revolutionary War

Social Studies: Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War taught with perspectives of Loyalists, Colonists, Slaves, Native Americans.

Students analyzed primary source artifacts from different authors to make meaning of the war and how people at that time might have seen it. Finally, they performed a piece of reader's theater for the Battle of Lexington and Concord. 

Declaration of Independence

Image of Addition Strategies

CGI Math 

Math Number talks are an integral part of the math literacy in my classroom. 

Having students apply math concept and reasoning strategies to solve math problems involving the four operations. 

Using manipulatives to further develop concepts and allow students to explore, analyze and understand mathematical ideas and concepts.

Math Stations with Manipulatives

Girl With A Vision Text Cover


During reading and writing I work with small groups and introduce them to texts, both- from diverse authors as well as with diverse topics. This allows students to envision themselves and the world through a wide cultural and ability lens.

For example, one of the texts we worked with was called "Girl With a Vision" where Sabriye a blind student overcame her disability to develop Tibetan Braille and worked with blind students in Tibet. 

Main Idea Development

Quote Analysis

Text: George Vs. George

Sudent Work Sample: Circle of Viewpoints See/Think/Wonder
Sudent Work Sample: Circle of Viewpoints "I'm thinking from the viewpoint of..."

Student Work

Circle of Viewpoints

George Vs George Introduction
CGI Mathematics Resources from Heinemann. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.heinemann.com/cgimath/.
Schanzer, R. (2007). George vs. George: the American revolution as seen from both sides. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies: Introduction. (2018, March 2). Retrieved from https://www.socialstudies.org/standards/introduction.
New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-p-12-common-core-learning-standards-for-english-language-arts-and-literacy.