The children spent many meetings deciding who would form the committee that would be in charge of figuring out the questions that would be used to update the new identity panels and yearbook. These questions would give us a window into their curiosity and subjectivity. After much dialogue, Christoph and Dylan became the representatives for the Aloes and Asher and Golda for the Basils. Before meeting as a committee, we discussed possible questions with the group so they could all have an opportunity to give their input.
ALOES:
Santi: I think one question should ask, “What games do you like to play?”
Colin: Yes, I agree with Santi.
Poppy: Maybe we should ask, “Do you like rainbows?”
Levi: What is your favorite star?
BASILS:
Elliot: What do you like? What’s your favorite color?
Everly: Do you have brothers or sisters? What are their names?
Asher: What kind of books do you like?
Mars: What do you like in your sandwich? What kind of bread do you like?
Keaton: You would have to ask them if you like sandwiches and do you like bread and if they don’t, then it’s a bad idea.
Susan: You’re noticing we need a broad question, one that can have many different answers. How could we rephrase that question so it has many answers?
Golda: What’s your favorite food?
Tallulah: Do you have a pet?
Mars: What’s your favorite show? What’s your favorite game?
The possible questions were brought to the committee meeting which took place in the community garden.
Adriana: We are meeting to decide what questions we want to ask for the new identity panels.
Golda: We can ask who is part of our family. Like my dad’s dad doesn’t live with me but he is my family.
Cynthia: We have the list of proposed questions from the Basils.
Asher: My great, great grandpa died a long time ago and he is still part of my family.
Cynthia: It sounds like grandparents are part of your family even though they may not live with you or are no longer alive. You still feel a connection. We did talk with the Basils and they really want to ask about who is part of your family.
Christoph: I also have great grandparents that died and the earth only let two more people live, Baba and Papa, and they are part of my family too.
Adriana: What can the question be then? How can we ask this question?
Asher: Who makes your family? Do you have any pets, grandparents or people that don’t live in your home?
Golda: Yes!
Cynthia: The Basils also wanted to ask, “What do you do on the weekends?” What do you think of this question?
Dylan: I think that’s a good one. I go on walks with my family. We can also ask what’s your favorite appointment?
Asher: Or who is your favorite friend?
Christoph: (After reflecting on Asher’s question) If we ask who is your favorite friend and someone doesn’t say one of the friend’s names that person might feel left out. Maybe we shouldn’t ask the question.
Adriana: How can we reframe the question then?
Presley: Maybe what games do you like to play with your friends? Like all the friends?
Christoph: That’s a great idea.
The questions were a reflection of what the children were curious about and wanted to learn about their peers.
Identity Panel Spring 2021 Questions by the Basil and Aloe Vera children:
- What is your favorite appointment, subject, and material?
- Who makes your family? Extended family/friends? Do you have any pets?
- What’s your favorite color?
- What games do you like to play with your friends?
- What do you like to do on the weekends?
It’s amazing for us to learn what the children feel are important elements to their identity. For the children, family is not only the people you live with but also those people that you hold a close connection to in your heart. As Asher said, “My great, great grandpa died a long time ago and he is still part of my family.” We are excited to discover the children’s responses and to see how they create an avenue for learning each other’s similarities and differences. We are celebrating these new discoveries and learning to find ways to continue creating a classroom culture where children feel welcome to express who they are as individuals and who we are together in this wonderful community of learners.