Identity Safe Classroom Resource Pack - Posters, Activities, Organizers + more!

This resource pack is designed to help you cultivate a classroom rich with student self-worth that celebrates identity and diversity by embracing classmate connections.

PRODUCT PURPOSE

- frame the concept of identity with kid-friendly elements (identity = personality, values, culture, interests, roles, experiences, gender & goals)

- use question prompts instead of definitions to help students reflect on their identity

- get students talking to one another, making connections and learning about one another

- encourage self-worth by confirmin all identities as valid, right and special

- celebrate diversity & foster an identity-safe classroom!

Time frame & structure: These activities can be done in a single week or spread out across a term or year

• • Materials are intentionally open-ended and not overly structured so that you can do them in the way that works for your students; pick and choose!

Differentiated: Many of these activities are differentiated. As such, this resource is pack is clearly divided into 3 parts and labeled accordingly.

• Part 1: shared materials that are appropriate for older and younger students (posters and more)
• Part 2: Older students focus on all 8 elements of identity (values, personality, interests, culture, gender, roles, goals, experiences)
• Part 3: Younger students focus on just 4 elements of identity (values, personality, interests, culture)

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

POSTERS:

• 8 Posters of the Elements of Identity (with question prompts instead of definitions): values, interests, personality, culture, gender, roles, goals, experiences
  • These posters are the backbone to the rest of the materials which reference and are organized around these Elements of Identity

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

• All About Me - Blank Graphic Organizer
• Identity Conversation Cards + Recording Sheet
• Identity Web Graphic Organizer (differentiated)
• Core of Who You Are Graphic Organizers (differentiated)

ACTIVITIES

• Good and Bad Labels Activity (individual or whole class activity)
• Connections Bingo Activity (whole class activity)
• Connections Paper Chain Activity (whole class activity)
• Identity Reflection Cards (+ worksheet version)

DISPLAY

• Puzzle Piece Classroom Display

EXTENSIONS

• "Create A Character & Identity" Graphic Organizer
• "Important Person Identity" Graphic Organizer

This product includes 2 pages explaining the above in more detail (instructions and options).

What is an Identity-Safe Classroom?

Find more info here: http://identitysafeclassrooms.org/what-is-identity-safety.html

According to the authors Dorothy M. Steele and Becki Cohn-Vargas "identity safe classrooms are those in which teachers strive to ensure students that their social identities are an asset rather than a barrier to success in the classroom. Acknowledging students’ identities, rather than trying to be colorblind, can build the foundation for strong positive relationships. This, coupled with challenging opportunities to learn, can help all students begin to feel they are welcomed, supported, and valued as members of the learning community."

"These practices are based on the fundamental principle that teaching and learning is a social process based on trusting relationships.  Because of the social nature of learning, the social identities of the teacher and each of the students is important and influences every interaction in the classroom."