Through shared art expression (storytelling through poetry or visual art creation), we will explore dialogue about ourselves, heritage, and lived experiences that create our “social identity.” We may find affirming connections with others or illuminate differences in perspective. This can be used in the classroom to create shared vulnerability, trust, and culturally-connected vocabulary to engage with each other and the content, especially helpful when exploring difficult topics.
We will discuss norms, participate in a social identity grid experience, write a personal poem or visual, and share and debrief on how to use this with our own content. This can be applied to all content areas and modified for all ages. If time allows, we will present a showcase of how these activities have worked for diverse youth for grades 7-12 over the last 8 years in classrooms in both Brooklyn and Anchorage with a majority of immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous students and classrooms with high academic, social and special education needs.
This practice helps to empower students’ voices, and bring awareness to assumptions made by teachers and students, and creates belonging and confidence needed to navigate academic success in our current schooling model.