There are two parts to this activity. In the first, you will spend time thinking about who you are in relationship to self and others. Then try to construct a model that describes the container for how you view people.

A. Remember the Johari window you just learned about? That is one way of thinking about people. It is actually a famous model.

Do you recall reading about or having a discussion on Descartes and the mind/body split?

Did you take a learning styles inventory to determine how you think? How about the Astrological charts and horoscopes, or the Chinese version with the year of the dog, the rat, the snake or dragon? How about the different sociologists or psychologists and their theories?

See if you can develop a model that contains important elements that you value when you are trying to figure people out. Here are some examples of things that probably already influence your thinking:

social connections

mind - body

Religious

Rubric: To get credit, your theory should:

1. Include some type of overarching symbol or idea
2. Show creative and personal thought, not just recounting someone else's' ideas
3. Include at least three elements that explain human behavior.

Now that you have developed

B. In the second part, you will be finding ways to get insight about how others view you.
Use your paradigm ( the model you just created) to explore how others may be seeing you
and see if you can get those perceptions to work in your model.

In some ways, it is a bit like the TV show "The Newly Weds." Some things you will know without question. However, there is a good chance you will find out things that please you and things that embarrass you and give you pause.

Here are some suggests for this little scavenger hunt into self:

1. Using your model, develop a set of at least 10 questions to find out how others see you.
   
2. You are asking people to disclose, so:
   1. only ask if you really want to know
   2. be kind in your responses to the honesty
   3. remember these are opinions, not facts, so weigh them accordingly
   4. talk over the things you find out or hear with someone you trust
   5. if you discover things you don't like about yourself, take time to simmer before effecting change
3. Once you get the opinions of others, compare the different ideas about who you are with your own self understanding. Send a one minute essay to conclude your activity and summarize what you learned.

C. What does this have to do with teaching and classroom management? Just like the people you interviewed, your students will believe certain things about you, make judgements, work to figure you out to increase the safety of learning and know what to expect from you.

You will do the same with them. You will look at behaviors, at students, at the interactions, and you will make decisions and act on them, based on your beliefs. Who are you? Who are the youngsters who comply - and why are they trying to please? What are the motives for the youth seeking attention, slapping, not sharing, cheating? Your paradigm, your belief system will influence every action. You will see what you believe you should see and make choices in the way you work with children and teach them to learn based on those beliefs.

To be successful, you need to know what you believe, and be sure it is your choice rather than an old emotional garment you inherited from other teachers or old experiences.

Rubric: The assignment should include:

1. A model of personal beliefs about human nature
2. A list of questions you asked others about self
3. A one minute essay, detailing what you did and what you learned about self from others. (It can be general rather than specific.)

Next Assignment / Activity

Return to Module One Menu