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Module 2: Culture, Names and Identity
What is the relationship between culture, identity and names?
What is the significance of names and identity in the classroom?
Explore issues surrounding names and identity
Examine how culture influences learning
Reflect on names and how it relates to cultural identity in one's own life
We all have a name story. Most of us have more than one name. Some of us were named after family members; some have names that connect to our ethnicity or ancestral names that connect us to our heritage. Have you ever had your name mispronounced or misspelled? If so, how did that make you feel?
The names we have are often closely related to how we view ourselves or how we connect to the world around us. As you read the poem "Choosing My Name" by Puanani Burgess, and the articles for this week, think about the names you were given and the significance (or lack thereof) it has regarding your identity.
Do you think it is important for teachers to pronounce the names of students correctly? Do you think we should make some effort to learn students’ names before the first day of school (perhaps before we call them out in class)? Is this possible or necessary?
You will be reading an article and viewing several video clips regarding names and pronunciation of names. You will then decide whether this is a subject worthy of meaningful investigation
Read Article: When Barry Became Barrack and consider these questions:
What does the article say about our president's identity and choosing to identify with one name over another?
How does his ethnicity and skin color come in to play in his decision to move away from his nickname?
Do you have a similar story to tell as the one President Obama tells regarding his teacher and role call?
2. Read Article: Names That are Unfamiliar to You are not "Hard" theyʻre Unpracticed
What does the article say about names and identity?
What resonates with you about this article?
3. View video clips: These are My Names and Remembering Studentsʻ Names
What is the message of the video clip "These are My Names"?
How might concepts and ideas shared be used in your own teaching?
What do you think of these name game strategies?
What will you do in your own teaching, to memorize studentsʻ names?
What does this very short video clip suggest about the relationship between students and teachers, and the importance of names?
In the video above, what does Uzoamaka say about her name and identity? How does this impact you as a future teacher?
4. Read Article: A Teacher Mispronouncing a Studentʻs Name can Have a Lasting Impact
What does this article say about names in the classroom?
Have you had your name mispronounced by a teacher? If so, what was the impact?
How does your own name relate to your own culture identity?
Do you think it is important to consider a child's background and identity within your classroom?
5. Read article: Strategies for Remembering Student Names
6. Name Poem:
Read the poem: Choosing My Name by Puanani Burgess
Write your own Name Poem and create a unique and creative title that reflects your writing and your identity regarding your names
Using the poem above as a sample, create your own name poem - think about all of your names and what they mean to you. Ask family members about your name, why your were given those particular names, the history behind it.
Reflect on the meanings and your connections to your names in this name poem.
Use each of your given names - first, middle, last (as well as married name if applicable or nick names if you choose).
Your poem should be between 3 - 5 stanzas.
Use the poem above as a sample - however do not use her words. Choose your own words to introduce each of your names and its connection to who you are
Create a creative title for your Name Poem. Puanani Burgess entitled her poem: Choosing My Name.
The first two student samples below (although it exceeds the 5 stanzas) are great examples of a creative Name Poems with great use of imagery and descriptive language
Whatʻs Due this Module:
Name Poem & Reflection:
*This assignment has two parts - be sure to submit both parts on one document
You may select to write a reflection on one of these articles A Teacher Mispronouncing
Names That are Unfamiliar to You are not "Hard" theyʻre Unpracticed
Submit through lamakū assignment tab
Convert to PDF before submitting
As we have learned from the week's articles and video clips, our names become part of us and shapes our own identity. The way in which we perceive ourselves come from the ideals of our culture, family and society. In the first article, President Barrack Obama shares how he selected the nickname Barry and chose to be called by that name to make it easier for others to pronounce, and so that he wouldn't have to explain his name to everyone. He also explains how one of his teachers mispronounces his name on the first day of school, and how that affected him. Think about how this might affect your future students? Is it important for teachers to remember the names of their students, to call them by name, and to make a conscious effort to pronounce the names correctly? How will you use this week's information and resources to inform your future teaching?
In closing, below you will find a video clip of a slam poetry performance by Jamaica Osorio. She talks about her names, how it has been lost and how she connects her cultural identity to her current situation and her institutional identity as a student at Standford University.
Bonus Video Clip: Mispronunciation even at the Emmy's
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