6h • General discussion
SELF-ETYMOLOGY
To know thyself is to find out where you actually come and and who your ancestors are. Begin by exploring the characteristics of each zodiac sign and reflect on how much they relate to those traits.
The next step is to introduce yourself to to signs and rising signs enabling you to create your own birth chart. This is strong engaging way for you to learn about yourselves and each other.
There is going to be a project where we all research and the mythology behind each constellation or comparing the zodiac system to other cultural astrological systems will aid in figuring your heritage and who you are, your capabilities and latent abilities. Incorporating astrology in modern society encouraging critical thinking.
(Google Search Overview):
Self-etymology (or personal etymology) is the practice of uncovering the "roots" of one's own identity, beliefs, and behaviors to understand why one is the way they are. In a curriculum, it moves beyond studying word origins to exploring personal narrative origins, turning literacy and social studies into tools for self-authorship and critical thinking.
Here is a guide on what this means for the individual and how to incorporate it into your skool/school curriculum.
Part 1: What Self-Etymology Means to the Individual
For an individual, self-etymology is a, "back to your roots" journey to understand personal foundations. It serves as a form of personal development or self-growth, allowing individuals to:
- Deconstruct Identity: Examining the "roots" of personal beliefs helps individuals understand which parts of themselves are authentic and which were adopted from social environments.
- Empower Self-Authorship: It shifts the focus from being a passive recipient of life experiences to becoming the "author" of one's own life story.
- Enhance Self-Awareness: By investigating the origins of their own habits and reactions, individuals can better manage their personal growth and emotional well-being.
- Unpack Personal "Irrational" Beliefs: Just as studying etymology explains "irregular" words, self-etymology explains why we might hold onto thoughts that don't make logical sense today.
Part 2: How to Incorporate Self-Etymology into Curriculum
You can integrate this approach by blending traditional etymology (language study) with personal narrative (biographical study).
1. The "Name Your Roots" Project (Personal History)
- Activity: Have students research the origin and history of their own names (first, middle, last).
- Goal: To understand that their identity has a story that predates them.
- Extension: Have them interview family members about the stories behind their names, fostering connection to personal roots.
2. The "Word Matrix" of Self (Vocabulary/Identity)
- Activity: Using a "word matrix" approach, students take a core word describing their passion (e.g., art, build, care) and find its roots (prefix, base, suffix). Then, they write a paragraph on how that root word has shown up in their life.
- Goal: Connecting linguistic history to personal experience.
3. Personal "Etymonline" Journaling (Self-Reflection)
- Activity: Use the concept of etymonline.com to start a "Personal Etymology Journal." When a student has a strong reaction to something, they must "look up the root. "Example: "Why did I get angry when I failed that quiz?" -> Root cause: "I believe my worth comes from grades." -> Root origin: "My parents praised me only when I got A's."
- Goal: To encourage critical, in-depth thinking about personal triggers and beliefs.
4. The "Metaphorical Mapping" Activity (Language/Social Studies)
- Activity: Study the, "tree roots" analogy for language development, where roots form a sturdy foundation. Have students draw a tree representing themselves, with the roots being their, "foundational, formative experiences" (e.g., a specific teacher, a move, a family tradition), and the branches being their current interests.
- Goal: Visualizing how past, "roots" support present, "leaves."
5. "Why is it Spelled That Way?" (Linguistic Investigation)
- Activity: Teach that "irregular" words actually have logical, historical reasons for their spelling.
- Goal: Parallel this to human behavior: "Why do I act this way?" often has a "hidden," "historical" reason that makes sense when examined.
Summary of Core Principles for Teachers
- Move Beyond Memorization: Focus on the story of the word/person, not just the definition.
- Use Inquiry-Based Learning: Ask "Why?" frequently. Why do we say that? Why do I believe that?
- Encourage Narrative: Have students share their, "roots" stories to build empathy and community.
- Utilize Resources: Use sites like Etymonline to show that all things—words and people—have a history.
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SELF-ETYMOLOGY
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