# data[].attributes.body
Existing on a spectrum, all cultural identities have some level of collectivism.  Some cultures foster collectivism (Japan) while others foster individualism (USA) but all balance these two in some regard.  More collectivist cultures focus on interdependence, collaboration, and emphasize collective wisdom.  More individualist cultures focus on independence, competition, and emphasize self-reliance.  When considering these cultural archetypes, be careful not to stereotype.

# data[].attributes.body
It's easy to overlook how traditional gender roles and norms influence how we interact in our daily lives, not because these norms are subtle, but because they are so pervasive. These norms of course influence the school and classroom settings. The norms instilled upon girls sometimes can help them in a classroom setting. Being expected to sit quietly and not interrupt can be quite the advantage in some classrooms. On the other hand, the norms instilled upon boys asks them to be boisterous, challenging, and often stubbornly headstrong. In some classes these traits can lead kids to be seen as disruptive or hyperactive.

# data[].attributes.body
A student's language proficiency often acts as a ceiling for that students learning of any content through that language.  One's difficulty with reading directly limits their ability to read and annotate a text.  Their difficulty with grammar will hinder their ability to have an academic discussions and understand instruction.  Teaching English in Prague and shown this to me.  By accepting and celebrating multiple languages in the classroom we can limit ostracization and help to develop a stronger learning community.

# data[].attributes.body
"Whiteness" has always been an identity of exclusion, that is its more easily defined by the out-group rather than it's amorphous in-group, "white people".  People of color include a wide range of nationalities, ethnicities, and cultures.  What unites this group is their shared exclusion from the label "white".  POC are a minority in this county and thus experience challenges that many white people do not, including in the classroom.  One common problem in the teaching profession is the lack of racial diversity among teachers.  Students of color deserve to see themselves represented in scholastic and professional settings just like the white majority.

# data[].attributes.body
"Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s...research found that during adolescence, the pre-frontal cortex – the area of the brain associated with self-regulation, conscious decision-making, memory, judgment and insight (among other things) – is still developing. Teenagers, therefore, do not have the self-control to not take risks, even if they know something is risky." (Busch)  It is often assumed that teenagers are more risky because of ignorance or a sense of invulnerability, but we know better now from the science that it has to do with brain chemistry and cognitive development.

# data[].attributes.body
A student's socioeconomic status has a profound and wide ranging impact on their learning and learning experiences.  Living in poverty can lead to challenges as small and simple as being distracted in class or as large and serious as malnutrition from hunger.  Students living in poverty may also find themselves responsible for the child care of their younger siblings.  In some cases, students living in poverty may be too busy after school with a job or taking care of siblings to do homework or participate in extra-curricular opportunities.

# data[].attributes.body
A component of identity that I've had little experience with.  In recent years national teen pregnancy rates have gone down even if they remain high in some areas of the country.  The level of parental support that some teen-parents receive can vary, where in some cases parents are very active and supportive, while in others the parents might be struggling with their own issues.  Needless to the say, the challenges of raising a baby while attending high school are enormous and often place similar cognitive, financial, and time restraints on the student as those with low socioeconomic status.

# data[].attributes.body
A "written tradition does not require much person-to-person interaction or dialogue because thoughts are committed to print." (Hammond pg.28) On the other hand, "oral traditions place a heavy emphasis on relationships because they process connects the speaker and listener in a communal experience." (Hammond pg.28)  When considering these cultural archetypes, be careful not to stereotype.

# data[].attributes.headline
Safe and Respectful Activities - Four Corners

# data[].attributes.subject
Safe and Respectful Activities - Four Corners

# data[].attributes.body
A four corners activity with the aim of better understanding student cultural identity.  Questions could include fluency in different languages, religious beliefs/denominations, county of origin/ancestry.  This gives an engaging way for students to learn about each other as well.

# data[].attributes.headline
Safe and Respectful Activities - Identity Drawing

# data[].attributes.subject
Safe and Respectful Activities - Identity Drawing

# data[].attributes.body
Students are encouraged to visually represent themselves artistically. This could take several forms. In my mentor teachers class students design and decorate a plaque with their name. Students are encouraged to make a visual representation of any aspect of their lives on the plaque.

# data[].attributes.headline
Safe and Respectful Activities - Me Soup

# data[].attributes.subject
Safe and Respectful Activities - Me Soup

# data[].attributes.body
Students create a Me Soup where they highlight important aspects to their identity in a artistic representation of themselves.  Here is an example of my own Me Soup.  Through this activity students are asked to think deeply about themselves and what makes them unique.  This will help them develop a stronger sense of self-awareness.

# data[].attributes.headline
Safe and Respectful Activities - Personal Stories

# data[].attributes.subject
Safe and Respectful Activities - Personal Stories

# data[].attributes.body
Students can be asked to write or tell a story that will give insights into their culture and identity.  These stories should be based on the real experiences of the student and non-academic in nature. These are should not be fictional. At the beginning of the year this could relate to things that happened over the summer or it could be an important event in the student's life.  These stories could be presented to the students as a means for them to learn about each other as well.