Document Type

Blog Post

Publication Date

3-22-2016

Publication Title

Edutopia International Online Magazine

Additional Publication URL

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/islands-of-personality-trains-of-thought-lori-desautels

Abstract

In the film Inside Out, 11-year-old Riley holds several islands of personality in her brain. These islands were created from her past core memories, experiences, interests, and passions. Positive and negative core memories create these islands that make up our personality or sense of self. Riley's included Family Island, Friendship Island, Soccer Island, and Goofball Island. Our brains form islands of personality (or, for the purposes of this discussion, islands of self) because of our interests, relationships, experiences, and how others in our lives have affirmed, supported, or possibly weakened our thoughts about who we are and our ever-developing life purposes. How can educators assist in building upon, repairing, and strengthening our students' islands of self? When we take a few minutes to authentically share and reflect with our students, we cultivate a connection that sustains us through the difficult moments within our classrooms.

Rights

File contains an archival version of an article originally available on Edutopia. Archived with permission. The author reserves all rights.

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