The I in Identity
It’s time to hold up a mirror and learn more about who you are, what shapes you, and how others may view you
Open in MinecraftUpdated: February 12, 2025
Learning objectives
INTERPERSONAL CONTEXT: Students will develop an understanding of how their identity can be shaped, influenced, and (in)validated based upon their interactions with others.
SOCIAL CONTEXT: Students will develop an understanding of how their identity can be shaped, influenced, and (in)validated by social factors
INTRAPERSONAL CONTEXT: Students will develop an understanding of how their views of self can determine many of the dynamic and even static aspects of their identity
Guiding ideas
Social Context:
- What social factors determine who you are?
- Are there parts of your identity that may be socially constructed? If so, which ones?
- How might the socially constructed factors change over time?
Intrapersonal Context:
- What personal characteristics do you associate with your identity?
- Which characteristics are visible, non-visible, and/or likely to change over time?
- Which characteristics are most important to you? Will that change over time?
Interpersonal Context :
- What are the things you noticed first about others?
- Do any of the identity characteristics of others influence your interactions?
- Visible
- Non-visible
- How might your views of yourself affect your interactions with others?
Note: As you determine to utilize this lesson please consider your learning space and ensure the safety of all students. It should be supported and optional if a student does not want to reveal any portion of their identity that may be weaponized against them and/or subject them to class microaggressions. Teacher Preparation for Lesson:
- Create a version of, copy of, or download an Identity Web Template from here, here, or here
- Share a Fishbone diagram (Anchor Chart) template with the class. Have students make connections between the key terminology and their understanding of their own identity
- Key Terms to consider (please utilize the Collins dictionary and equity tools glossary links in the resources as a starting point for understanding these terms):
- Identity
- Relationships
- Characteristics
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Social Construct
- Bonus: Have students create an identity document with links to external resources supporting their understanding of themselves
- Bonus: Have students make a copy of the slides here and complete the activities to further understand the complexity of their own identity
Student activities
Whole-Class Discussion: (~5 minutes)
Introductory Questions: Begin by facilitating a discussion about identity and the key terms. Have students share initial thoughts prior to completing the identity template exercise. Within this discussion consider the following questions:
- What is identity and what does it mean to the individual? What does it mean within a social context?
- What are our characteristics that may be static? Dynamic?
- How might our identity influence our actions and interactions with others?
Whole-Class Activity: (~45 minutes)
- Complete the fishbone diagram for each key term
- Complete the identity template of your choosing
Student Activities: (~45 minutes)
1. Students may work individually and then in small groups.
- Students will analyze their anchor charts and categorize their identity components that are static versus those that are dynamic. In small groups, students will share their results and discuss
- Students will determine what visuals, artifacts, and potential builds they might use to represent each component of their identity.
2. Minecraft EE: A Museum of Me (~30 minutes)
- Students will open the museum build in Minecraft
- Students will build then curate a “collection” for a display of the representations of their identity
- Bonus: have students design their representations in order of importance
- Bonus: have students create a screen capture video narrating your journey through their curated collection
3. Reflection (~10 minutes) Students will create a very short written or Flipgrid video based upon the following prompt: Why is it important for us to better understand ourselves in order to better understand others? Extension Activities:
- Students will serve as the designated collection curator for a classmate. Through interviews and research, each student will then create a Minecraft collection of a classmate.
Performance expectations
At the end of this lesson:
- Students will gain an understanding of what identity is and means.
- Students will understand their own identity within a personal and social context.
- Students will gain a deeper understanding of identity terminology.
- Students will learn more about interpersonal similarities and differences
External reference
Skills
- Character
- Communication
- Critical thinking
Supporting Files
- The I in Identity LessonThis is the PDF version of the I in Identity Lesson