Positive Self-Identity

Working to build a sense of self, especially in middle or high school, can be a very difficult process for students. Some seem to be born with a positive and healthy sense of self, while others can't seem to form an identity until well after graduation. I've written before about how difficult it can be for some students in high school, and how important it is for us as teachers to help students deal with the pressures of school life and hopefully come out better for the experience. In the case of creating a positive self-identity, even for those students who seem to have things together can still benefit from a teacher with a kind word or thoughtful ear.

I will admit, I am not the best person to be writing about this topic. My middle and high school experiences, while not spectacularly out of the ordinary, were also not particularly positive or life-affirming. Building a sense of self is indeed a life-long process. No matter how much we'd like to think that once we hit a good spot in our lives, that they will stay that way, life has a way of turning ups into downs and vice-versa. One of the best things we can do for our students is to help them to develop skills that will be helpful later on in dealing with life's turmoils. Adaptability to change is necessary in the world in general and at school in particular.

The best ideas that I have heard and that I believe in will vastly help in this capacity. Creating an open and accepting environment (both physically and emotionally) that our students feel safe in is very important, as are fostering a sense of trust, honesty and respect, between both yourself and your students, as well as within your whole classroom. Also, allowing for some flexibility and understanding in situations that warrant it (such as if a student is feeling ill or upset and honestly confides in you), you will let your students know that, while you aren't a pushover, that you do care for their well-being and are willing to make small adjustments if necessary.

In the end, while we may not be the model of a person with a perfectly positive sense of self, we can still do a lot to help our students to work towards their own goal of personal identity fulfillment. I firmly believe that a little trust, honesty and respect can go a long way towards creating good relations with others and help each of us to understand a little more about ourselves.

Collaborative Art Project

I have a difficult time thinking about this subject, as I guess I have always seen art as a personal act of expression and creativity. I have also, unfortunately, seen the results of projects or art pieces that I can only describe as "art by committee," in which there are so many contradictory ideas mashed together that they are perfectly unable to express anything at all. I do realize the importance of group work and cooperation, and I think there are ways to do it successfully, but I still struggle to come up with many interesting ideas.
One concept that I have seen work many times and have even participated in would be a sort of "jam" book or comic. In a way, it can function like a collection of short stories or poems, but instead of collecting stories, it is an (often bound) collection of artworks or illustrations by many different artists, usually based around a similar theme or concept. In this way, each artist (or student, in this case) could feel free to branch off of the central premise and create something that would connect to the works of their peers but not necessarily infringe on or be changed by their artistic ideas and styles.
A more collaborative project could be individually creating a large illustration, but making sure that each person's work is included and that there could be a sense of flow to the finished piece. This could be a mural, a class poster, or even a sculptural figure or diorama. No matter the form it would take, it would both include the students' different ideas and preferences, but also allow for them to work as a group to create a cohesive finished product that everyone had a chance to contribute to.
I know there are many other ideas I am either unaware of or simply can't come up with right now, but I do feel that a large class project would have a number of positive aspects that could help to unify and hopefully energize your students.