Identity TIPR

I have observed multiple psychosocial crises in this class. I suppose it is inevitable in junior high but even more so in a drama class. I have seen specific instances of the following stages of Erikson's model: Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation. These students are going through so much. I have seen students that are homeless and unsure of their parents ability to care for them. I have seen students that feel unaccepted by their parents due to clothing and friend choices. Both instances of Trust vs. Mistrust. I have seen students overcome their sense of shame and dance in front of the class, it was a beautiful moment because this student often feels awkward in her own skin. I have seen some students rise to the occasion and be industrious as they accomplished tasks and others too afraid to try. I have seen the feeling of not being good enough on their face and the change when they receive praise for their efforts. I have seen a student struggle because she doesn't agree with her parents religion and she tries to figure out how to be herself and not disappoint her mother. I have seen students trying to figure out where they fit in the school, the class, and the world. I have seen the desperate war between intimacy and isolation. This age is so difficult for these students, especially it seems for the girls. I have seen them form amazing friendships just to be told by parents that they cannot be friends with those people. I have seen them search for acceptance and friendship through social media. I have seen the isolation that comes after being torn from their friends and the harm that causes both parties. I feel that the teacher encourages the students to be in a state of moratorium in Marcia's theory. He wants them to be exploring choices for themselves.

I think the main need for these students in this particular class is acceptance. They need to learn to work through the intimacy vs. isolation stage. I struggle because I sometimes feel that the parents (though well intentioned) are actually hurting this process more than helping. The classroom is a very safe place where the students feel comfortable sharing their struggles with one another which I think is amazing. I have heard these kids open up about things they usually won't. I think that speaks highly to the acceptance they feel while in this class. I feel like this is an area the teacher excels at and does a good job of helping the students to feel and be accepting as they search for their identities.

This is going to be difficult to work into my lesson due to some parental conflicts being brought into the classroom dynamic right now. I am going to do my best to put the students into groups that they may not typically work with to help them explore other possible friendships. I will encourage positive feedback for the others in their group so that everyone feels like their ideas and opinions are valid and can be shared. This assignment will give the students a chance to be industrious and use initiative. These things will be encouraged and hopefully built upon.