- What do you Think?? REFLECT: Do you recall a student who had a “nickname” given because others’ couldn’t pronounce it? What was the effect? What are your thoughts about the Hollywood story provided? We had a student named "Saumya" (Som-yah) and a teacher said to her, "I'm just going to call you Sumiyah" (soo-mi-yuh). She was so upset by this--she became increasingly withdrawn and shy and more and more reluctant to share her work with teachers and other students. The Hollywood Story is all too common--we see this happening all time with our students here, too.
- Now What?? OPPORTUNITY TO GROW: What steps can you take in your class or school that will show respect and honor toward one or more of your students? The biggest recommendation I always to teachers is to read multicultural books with multicultural names. Books like "Thats Not My Name!" "Your Name is a Song," and the "The Name Jar" are great examples of building classroom community and advocacy in students.
