This weekend, with UN Day coming up, I am thinking about culture. An important yet cryptic element in our everyday interactions, the behaviors and expectations engrained in our students’ brains heavily impact their behaviors and expectations in our classrooms.
There are many definitions of culture, which primarily refer to the arts, beliefs, and customs of a group of people. I once attended a workshop where culture was defined as the “collective programming of the mind” that distinguishes one group of people from another. I like this definition, because I think the word “programming” really evokes an idea of the invisible parts of culture: the mindsets, the attitudes, the values. These are at the core of any culture; they are often so deeply rooted in our upbringing that we don’t even realize they are there. Yet they heavily influence the way our students (and parents) approach school, teachers, community, and learning—and likewise the way we, as teachers, approach students, parents, and curriculum. So as we approach a day where we celebrate an organization that brings together the many peoples of the world, I am taking some time to reflect on what my students bring to the table, and how I use that in my classroom.
EDIT: After dozens of requests, I have made a high resolution version that you can purchase for print. If you wish to include this diagram in a book, presentation, or publication, please contact me. This will help your staff, colleagues, and students to begin to see the depth of cultural influence on all our lives.
Many define culture through arts and celebrations. But culture is deeply rooted in mindsets, values, and countless aspects of our upbringing that we don't even realise are there. Help your colleagues, staff, students understand… Click To TweetHow do you see the effects of your own multicultural environment? What challenges and blessings does a heterogeneous classroom present?
Janine, What a great illustration of the complexity of human interaction. My friend and I are working on a Working towards Race Unity project. Would appreciate your permission use your work. With reference of course. Teachers rock, especially music teachers!
Hi Mary Rose, you are welcome to use the illustration with proper reference (Janine Slaga, janinesmusicroom.com). Thanks!
Dear Janine Slaga
I would like to post your diagram on our notice board (social work University of Suffolk, UK) and share it in relevant lectures.
I will make sure to use your full name and include the website address. Is the date of publication (for referencing purposes) 2014?
Many thanks for your good work.
Nora (social work course lead)
Hi Nora,
Yes, as long as it is fully credited, you may use it on the notice board and in lectures at the university. Cheers
Dear Janine, How can I get a copy of your cultural iceberg. This is just for me. I am a long time student of the human condition. Thanks in advance ? Barrie.
Hi Barrie, I’m glad you are finding it informational. You can find it here. Thanks!
Hi Janine,
I work for a cultural francophone non-profit. We would love to translate and present your iceberg model to our members and followers. Would that be alright? We’ll credit your name and keep the link to your website.
Sincerely,
Camille
Hi Camille, you are welcome to translate the illustration with proper reference (Janine Slaga, janinesmusicroom.com). Thanks!
Hi Janine,
I tried sending a comment a few weeks ago but I think maybe I did it wrong. If you received it already, I’m sorry, please ignore this one.
I work for francophone cultural non-profit. We would like to present your Iceberg model, translated in French, to our audience and our members. Recently, we have many multicultural projects and we think your model would be useful and insightful for them.
We will give you credit (your full name as the author of the model and the link to your website – if there’s anything else, let us know).
Can I have your authorization for this?
Feel free to send me an answer to my email address as well.
Hi Camille, yes, as long as it is credited, you may use a translated version for your non-profit. I hope it is very useful in your projects!
Hi,
I have the same question as many above regarding the use of your iceberg graphic. I am an independent consultant that provides professional development for school districts in regards to supporting English Learners. Could I include your visual in a presentation?
Thanks, Amy Immekus
Hi Amy, you are welcome to use the illustration with proper reference (Janine Slaga, janinesmusicroom.com). Thanks!
Hi Janine.
I am really impressed about this amazing diagram, that I used it a lot even I printed it.
Many thanks.
Hi Janine,
I work in the field of education and would like to use your Cultural Iceberg in a guest lecture to a freshmen college class and potentially in other workshops with educators.
It is an excellent illustration of the cultural elements that color how we understand ourselves, others, and the world. Culture also undergirds our mindset, beliefs, and how we understand and interpret the world, as well as influencing our world view(s) and personal character traits.
Very helpful!
Hi David, that’s so true. It’s important that we step back to better understand our own worldview as well as others’. You are welcome to use my iceberg for the lecture, as long as you are citing my name and website. Cheers
Hello, I manage a language access program at a hospital. I would love a poster of this.
Hi Elsie, there is a poster-sized graphic available now, which you can find at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cultural-Iceberg-POSTER-for-classroom-staff-room-PYP-MYP-TOK-5596926. Thanks!
Hi Janine. This is such a beautiful illustration. It really blew my mind when I actually sat and thought about it. So I thought I’ll visit your website and I was having a look at the comments and I realised that I have interpreted this illustration from an altogether different POV.
While I think you actually meant this to be viewed and thought on a macroscopic cultural level, I personally thought that these are broadly all the topics that two people should talk about to see if they really connect. Like if two people really connect and share similar thoughts on these heads, they sure can end up being best of friends or even life partners. Also in today’s small global village where a large chunk of the population having freedom to choose the culture and lifestyle they want to adapt, this can also serve as a broad guideline as to what all heads to keep in mind to truly understand oneself and know what we actually like and don’t like, what we want to adapt from other cultures and what we want to keep from ours.
Kudos to you for creating this masterpiece.
With warm regards from India
K.S