Design Journal & Self Identity Project

For my practicum class.. we have 4 assignments to do between now and December.  Most of the assignments are pretty generic: clock your hours online,  respond to others postings online, and read several articles. 

The other two are pretty cool. 

First, we have to do a "self identity" project. Basically, we need to develop a creative project that shares/builds/enjoys the identity of your students. The identity must contain and demonstrate an anti-bias curriculum lens and multicultural/urban ed practice. Along with the creative portion, I have to share this with my college class in some way, preferably as a “document," PowerPoint visual or video experience. Sheesh! I decided to do a collage project combined with silhouette. I want students to go through magazines and find pictures and words that describe them, their families, their classroom, their friends, etc. Then, they'll fill in their "heads" with these pictures/words. I'll write more about as it gets closer. 

The second project is a design journal. My cohort leader's (aka practicum teacher) focus is on the environment, and how the environment can be another teacher in the classroom. So, since the environment is another teaching tool... we have to put together a design journal with ideas of fabric, colors, textures, furniture, and other elements that come together to create a classroom. It's kind of a fun activity. Since I've been in many classrooms, I've definitely narrowed down certain things that I want to do in my own room. I know that teachers come into a school with little/no control over color schemes, desks/tables, chairs, and storage capacity... so I chose to focus on  things that I can control (curtains, classroom policies, extra furniture, etc). I'll write more about that as it gets fuller.