Presentation Session I

The purpose of this project was to explore how contextualization and instructional conversations can support engagement for diverse learners in elementary classrooms. Guided by the CREDE framework and culturally relevant pedagogy, the study focused on how connecting learning to students’ lived experiences (contextualization) and creating space for meaningful discussion (instructional conversations) may improve student engagement. The project aimed to better understand how these instructional strategies contribute to more inclusive and responsive classroom environments for students with diverse cultural, linguistic, and learning backgrounds.