Collaborative Theme of Identity

This year we decided to explore the theme of identity.  Who we are as teachers, who the children are, how they fit into their community, who they are in their families and in the classroom.  We started this process during professional development before school started and we will continue through the school year.  

Classroom Identity Walls

One important aspect of our Identity exploration are Identity walls in the classroom.  Each classroom has an Identity wall that will feature each child, their name, birthday, and age.  The identity wall is big enough for children to see themselves.  It gives them a sense of ownership in the space that they spend so much time in and creates a foundation of community and partnership with the peers and teachers.  

Children love seeing themselves in their classroom and pointing to their friends.  They also noticed when their age changes and they have their birthdays.  

Self Portraits

An important piece of identity is how the children see themselves.  To explore this idea, teachers support children in creating self portraits.  Books, mirrors, paper, and writing tools are provided for children to use to create their own self portraits.  Even our youngest learners begin doing self portraits.  Self portraits will be done throughout the year.  As children grow and develop, so will their sense of self and it will be relected in their self portraits.

Activities Rooted in Identity

Children have started participating in actitivies that are based in identity.  They may be exploring different body parts, their interests, their names, what they think, their favorite things, and their families.  Activities like these support deeper thinking while establishing a sense of self for the children.  Activities will age based on each age group and their stage of development.