More Than a Single Story - Collective Brainstorm by staci

If you knew me well, you know that…

2023-04-29 17:52:33 UTC

Using this as a talking prompt icebreaker in small groups

Induction Work

2023-04-29 17:52:34 UTC

In pairing Mentors with new teachers, thinking beyond just grade level/content area (single story) and about who the teachers are as individuals.

Encourage the inner monologue

jokada — 2023-04-29 17:52:36 UTC

English course: Having students reflect and think about their assumptions they have about an author/type of reading they will do prior to teacher input (through lecture or handout of background information)

Ms. Yap's 6th History

2023-04-29 17:52:37 UTC

-Using the "I am ____ but I am not ____" in my 30 minute SEL class.
-Showing Adichie's video to show how single stories of people in history are dangerous. (maybe beginning of the Ancient China unit)

Identity Iceberg

2023-04-29 17:52:49 UTC

Each year, we start the year with an Identity Iceberg writing prompt. After your session, I feel like we can emphasize how we might have a "single story" about others, but we need to ensure that we understand there is a lot below the surface.

Index card

2023-04-29 17:52:49 UTC

I love both activities. We can use the index activity in tutorial for our no place for hate program. And I definitely want to incorporate the asset research project somewhere maybe for an author study or for no place for hate

Name Histories

2023-04-29 17:52:56 UTC

Give students a chance to share the origin of their names. This allows students to take part in conversation with their families about their family history and what their parents wanted for their kids!

SEL

2023-04-29 17:52:58 UTC

Expanding on SEL lessons (the ones that center on emotions) with these activities. I definitely want to try these with my fifth graders, but I also want to share this with staff at my school.

Share stories

2023-04-29 17:53:22 UTC

Share (own) stories that are both windows and mirrors for students so that they may see themselves and also others’ perspectives.

Morning Meeting

2023-04-29 17:53:24 UTC

Sharing question every morning so that students become comfortable with sharing who they are and what is important to them

Start of the School Year Staff Meeting

2023-04-29 17:53:29 UTC

Have teachers participate in going through the same identity/single story activity to start of the school year reminding them to not make assumptions about their students

2023-04-29 17:53:39 UTC

As a Spanish 1 teacher, it would be great to do single story about each country and it’s people and then redo the activity at the end of the unit to reflect their assets

Asset-based activity

2023-04-29 17:53:40 UTC

Have students fill out their assets and share it with the class. Maybe a 1-slide presentation about them with a bunch of photos of them, their family, and interests.

“I want my teacher to know..” letter

2023-04-29 17:54:00 UTC

At the beginning of the year, I have my students write a letter that answers the prompt, “I want my teacher to know. . .” I leave it completely open ended and ask them to think about parts of their identity that I may not see in class.

Senior Success

2023-04-29 17:54:13 UTC

Providing space, holistic support, and real personable advice (using justice and inclusion frameworks) for students working through their personal statements & college admission documents. We want them to feel seen and embrace their narrative. Main character energy!

2023-04-29 17:54:14 UTC

Explore different aspects of identity, Name narratives, expand class library, celebrate and have class experts share cultural holidays

Mix It Up Day

2023-04-29 17:54:31 UTC

Provide students the opportunity at lunch to sit at a lunch table and alternate partners ever five minutes or so in order to get to know other people and learn about others

Icebreaker on sharing an identity

2023-04-29 17:54:37 UTC

Prompt: “Something most people don’t know about me is…” (this yields a wide range of responses/sharing & insight into a person)

Character Traits

2023-04-29 17:54:59 UTC

Students draw a self portrait in any style that they would like to (cartoon, illustrator style, realistic, etc.) and identify themselves with 3-4 character traits. Then, they provide examples of how they have displayed that trait either at home, school, extracurricular, and other environments!

Invite families

2023-04-29 17:54:59 UTC

Invite families into the classroom to share their own experiences/traditions/perspectives.

2023-04-29 17:55:14 UTC

After each lesson that centers another culture, pause and ask students to reflect on how they might resist allowing this to become their single story.

Relational Capacity/Trust

ericaaguirre3 — 2023-04-29 17:55:18 UTC

I’ve used “Danger of a Single Story” for many years at both HS and MS levels. A suggestion before using flash card activity - build trust w/students and/or set boundaries/guidelines for respect so students feel comfortable sharing.

H/SS Pre-Colonial Stories

2023-04-29 17:55:44 UTC

I think the "Dangers of One Story" video would be a good activity before we get into our Indigenous Americans unit in 5th.

That’s me

2023-04-29 17:55:49 UTC

Displaying (or announcing) a series of cues and if it matches your experiences or preferences, you stand and chorally announce “that’s me!” (E.g, I’ve attended this school since —; my grandparents live nearby; I love to spend time outdoors; I have never swam in the ocean)

Psychology class

lle13 — 2023-04-29 17:56:02 UTC

Use the index card activity in the social psych unit!

Talk about prejudices and discrimination… and identity!

SLP push in to SDC

2023-04-29 17:56:24 UTC

“I am but I am not” activity in the SDC class. I think it would be eye opening for staff to see what the student know is their asset or a meaningful part of their identity.

Providing a Safe Space

2023-04-29 17:56:32 UTC

Students may feel a greater sense of belonging when they see their teachers showing vulnerability and sharing their personal stories, so perhaps diminishing the border between teacher and student in a healthy, mindful way can help bring light to each individual’s assets that ultimately make up our community.

Historical Events

2023-04-29 17:56:56 UTC

Sharing multiple sides of historical events, not just “American version”

6-Word Memoirs

2023-06-27 16:50:26 UTC

Students have to write their memoir but ONLY using 6 words (not less, not more). Students usually dig deep and learn a lot about each other’s strengths and identities after.

Classroom “fridge” board

2023-06-27 16:50:45 UTC

Stole this off of social media but you have a board where students can bring in a picture of themselves or family and post it on the board.

I always start my year with an activity called something I wish my teacher knew about me.

2023-06-27 16:51:19 UTC

Read Books Highlight Cultures

2023-06-27 16:52:01 UTC

Stories with so many different main characters and cultures opens the eyes of students. You can also take this time to identify misconceptions or single stories and address them in the moment.

Staff development

2023-06-27 16:52:45 UTC

Our staff needs to build a culture of understanding, cooperation, and trust. I believe the “I am … I am not” would help us build new relationships.

“Oops” and “Ouch” teachable moments

2023-06-27 16:53:14 UTC

If a student has an “oops” or “ouch” moment when talking about cultural differences, use it as a safe space teachable moment to address how to speak about diversity in an open and respectful way.

Two Voice Poem

2026-03-07 21:52:54 UTC

List out different aspects of identity and ask students to write a poem using the “I am, but I am not…” frame.

Partner up to share out in a two voice poem presentation.

Digital Compositions

2026-03-07 22:00:27 UTC

Have students create digital compositions based on their lives (Day in the Life of a Student Athlete, My Journey Through Coding, etc.). Regardless of their focus, you get a glimpse of students beyond the classroom setting and into something that is meaningful to them. They learn about storytelling, creating atmosphere, etc. Bonus: some students include cute baby photos!

Bridging gaps between staff members

2026-03-07 22:07:04 UTC

What are your joys and challenges outside of school right now?