“Building an identity means coming to see ourselves the characteristics of particular categories (and roles) of people and developing a sense of what it feels like to be that sort of person and belong in a certain social group.”
I believe that children begin to know who they are as a person once they begin school. The teacher’s and students around the child help him/her shape themselves into that character. This is typically the time children really begin to meet many children and also make new friends. This quote really caught my attention because I feel that I can really relate to it in a sense that I the student am coming to see who I am and who I want to surround myself by.
“Identities such as researcher-in-a-research-community are an important accomplishment of schooling, but also a tool for shaping children’s participation in a classroom.”
Teachers play such a large role in helping shape a child into becoming who they will be. Johnston used an example where the teacher calls himself/herself the “senior researcher” and the students are “assistant researchers.” This helps shape the students because it could make them feel like they can be researchers. I remember in an accounting class I took, the professor never referred to us as students, he referred to us as a accountant assistant. It really made me feel like I was more than just a student and I really could do this.
natashak89 
Natasha,
I too believe that the people in our lives have a huge role in our identity. I almost wish we knew ourselves better before high school so we weren’t so fragile during an all-too-awkward time in our lives. But I look back at those years and really see how I evolved, and even then, my teachers had very big impact on who I became. Also, I found the quote by Johnston about “senior researcher” and “assistant researchers” to be very true. Your accounting professor seemed to have a great understanding of this technique, and I wish more teachers did. I think it would be a real positive in the classroom and when forming relationships between teacher and student. Overall, great response, I loved your graphics too!
Natasha,
Golden line: “I remember in an accounting class I took, the professor never referred to us as students, he referred to us as a accountant assistant. It really made me feel like I was more than just a student and I really could do this.”
This does make all the difference. I hope in this class you’re starting to try on the role of future teacher.
Take care to include MLA citations, so if I want to find the passage you’re quoting, I can. Also, make sure the quotes are accurate. Your opening quote doesn’t seem quite right.
Thanks, Dr. P
I liked when the teacher treated us a “special helpers” too, it may me feel more motivated and a part of the group. Giving children that sense that, yes, they are competent, is very important.
I remember when I was a teacher’s “special helper,” it boosted my confidence highly. I have always liked the concept of teacher’s assistant because it helps and motivates the child excel in literacy to want to be chosen as the assistant. Nicely written.