Self-Identity (Blog #1)
As discussed in the reading, Who Am I? Who Are My People?, identity formation is a complex web that is an ongoing process. The authors on page 49, describe the key questions one may ask themselves when exploring their identity. "Who am I? What social groups do I want to affiliate with? Where/what/whom are my "community" and home?" The answers to these questions are not easy, no black and white answers. These answers also form the core of our existence according to the authors Kirk and Okazawa-Rey. As an educator, the topic of self- identity and the journey and exploration of self is of the utmost importance. The journey of identity starts young and we as educators need to aid kids on this journey and allow them to express and explore freely. As a kindergarten teacher I hear from students comments such as, " I don't like purple that is girly, only boys can play with the trucks, I only wear boy colors." I find it is not only my job to be teaching these young minds how to count and read, but how things like colors, toys, ideas, interests are not categorized based on gender. We have had open discussions on why do you think this and have allowed all students to express their opinions and views. Now when we are working I seldom hear comments such as, "blue is a boy color," but when I do, I also hear a comment from another boy saying, "no it is not. I am a boy and I like all colors. Colors are for everyone".
I truly enjoyed reading the Yo Miss! graphic novel. Perhaps a bit too much as I accidentally read to page 73 instead of to page 12, whoops! I find graphic novels to be such an enjoyable read due to the structure and illustrations. The content is still important and inspiring, but it is presented in such a fun and not so serious way. This graphic novel truly resonated with me in that it illustrates the struggles that teachers and students face on a daily basis. It helps to reiterate the point, you are not alone! Teachers have days where they feel defeated, as if they are trying to reach their students and getting no where. It also showed that you may think you know your student, or make a blanket statement like, they just do not care, but there is so much to a student you do not know. How is their home life? Where are their parents? Do they have a quiet place to work? Are they in charge of caring for their siblings? I had a case just last year where I found myself getting frustrated with a student when it came to effort. After conferencing with him and dong some more research I learned that he wasn't getting much sleep because he was feeding his baby sister her bottle during the night because no one would get up. He would store food from school because he wasn't getting enough at home. All keeping in mind this child is only 6 years old. This instance instilled in me the fact that I truly without a doubt need to personally know each and everyone of my students. There is always a cause to the effect so to speak. Why is this child acting out? What is making her so tired?
I am including a link to a TED Talk video featuring Holly Painter. She is an educator and a slam poet.The first 5 minutes are of her slam poetry and the last 10 are her discussing her time as an educator. This video address the idea of identity and also discusses the idea of identity and how we as educators can aid students on the journey of self discovery or how we can hinder it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzJJwU0FEqI
I truly enjoyed reading the Yo Miss! graphic novel. Perhaps a bit too much as I accidentally read to page 73 instead of to page 12, whoops! I find graphic novels to be such an enjoyable read due to the structure and illustrations. The content is still important and inspiring, but it is presented in such a fun and not so serious way. This graphic novel truly resonated with me in that it illustrates the struggles that teachers and students face on a daily basis. It helps to reiterate the point, you are not alone! Teachers have days where they feel defeated, as if they are trying to reach their students and getting no where. It also showed that you may think you know your student, or make a blanket statement like, they just do not care, but there is so much to a student you do not know. How is their home life? Where are their parents? Do they have a quiet place to work? Are they in charge of caring for their siblings? I had a case just last year where I found myself getting frustrated with a student when it came to effort. After conferencing with him and dong some more research I learned that he wasn't getting much sleep because he was feeding his baby sister her bottle during the night because no one would get up. He would store food from school because he wasn't getting enough at home. All keeping in mind this child is only 6 years old. This instance instilled in me the fact that I truly without a doubt need to personally know each and everyone of my students. There is always a cause to the effect so to speak. Why is this child acting out? What is making her so tired?
I am including a link to a TED Talk video featuring Holly Painter. She is an educator and a slam poet.The first 5 minutes are of her slam poetry and the last 10 are her discussing her time as an educator. This video address the idea of identity and also discusses the idea of identity and how we as educators can aid students on the journey of self discovery or how we can hinder it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzJJwU0FEqI
Hi Danielle, I really enjoyed reading your blog. Self-identity is a complex issue and the way we see ourselves as well as others will continue to evolve and change throughout life. I find the lessons that you are instilling in your students awesome and the Ted talk video that you shared was just another reminder to me about the importance of seeing my students as individuals with his/her own back story. I think it's extremely important that I create an environment that allows my students to share a piece of who they are with me and vice versus. At the beginning of the school year, I always incorporate an All About Me unit into my lessons. One of the activities include my students drawing a self-portrait of themselves. My hope is to incorporate more self-identity activities in my classroom throughout the school year because I think it's extremely important and beneficial to learning. Thanks for posting the TED Talk video on your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughtful post Danielle. I really appreciate your reflection on moving beyond the surface impression that a student who is absent/ disengaged/ challenging (in whatever way) just doesn't care. Thinking about what else may be going on with this student and how to support them. How do you cultivate that curiosity and make space to learn about students' lives outside of the classroom?
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Victoria
I start every year focusing mostly on getting to know each other and cultivating a safe environment where students feel free to express themselves and explore. I get to know their interests, their home life, how they like to learn, etc. I hold "conferences" each week allowing the students to lead where the conversation goes. Luckily for me I teach 5-7 year olds and they love to tell me a lot about themselves and their lives. The conversations are around 3-5 minutes and they serve as a check in to see what has changed in a students' life recently or what has remand the same. In addition I implement a unit focusing on "self" and one on community. It is a time for students to explore and learn about themselves, we use mirrors to draw out features, we create or own skin color using tempera paints, etc. I also have students create 'All About Me' books that divulge more personal information on who do you live with, interests, places they have been, their goals and much more.I really enjoy doing all of this because it has helped me to truly know my students on a personal level. I know every students' favorite hobby, activity and sports they do, food, their pets and siblings, etc.
DeleteHi Danielle- I really enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on what can cause a student to change their behavior. As a teacher it is incredibly important for use to realize that our students are just kids and have so much going on behind the scenes. We can't make judgement or assumptions until we figure out what is going on. I am so glad you dug deeper to learn what causes were affecting your student, it probably made such a difference for him and you! I also agree with you and believe that to increase trust and contentedness with our students we need to share and discuss our identity and help them along their journey too - thank you for posting the slam poetry!
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