Lessons
The I in Identity

The I in Identity

8-10 yrs old

11-13 yrs old

14-18 yrs old

Service Learning & Social Good

Social and Emotional Health

It’s time to hold up a mirror and learn more about who you are, what shapes you, and how others may view you

avatar Submitted By: Felisa Ford, Ken Shelton, Natasha Rachell

January 14, 2021

Download Assets
Print Lesson Rework Lesson

Skills

  • Character
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking

External References

Understanding Identity

Students will identify social and cultural factors that help shape their identities.

Unpacking Identity

Think about how a person’s different identity categories might create sameness as well as uniqueness.

Collins Dictionary

Free online dictionary, thesaurus, and reference materials

Minecraft World file

Minecraft world to support the lesson activities. Link will open in Minecraft: Education Edition.

Supporting Files

The I in Identity Lesson


This is the PDF version of the I in Identity Lesson

Learning Objectives

  • 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
  • INTERPERSONAL CONTEXT: Students will develop an understanding of how their identity can be shaped, influenced, and (in)validated based upon their interactions with others.

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

Skills

  • Character
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking

External References

Understanding Identity

Students will identify social and cultural factors that help shape their identities.

Unpacking Identity

Think about how a person’s different identity categories might create sameness as well as uniqueness.

Collins Dictionary

Free online dictionary, thesaurus, and reference materials

Minecraft World file

Minecraft world to support the lesson activities. Link will open in Minecraft: Education Edition.

Supporting Files

The I in Identity Lesson


This is the PDF version of the I in Identity Lesson

Suggested Lessons

Empathy Education with MCEE thumbnail image
Empathy Education with MCEE
Allow your students to develop Empathy Skills
8-10
...
Social Good
SEL
...
 View Lesson
Meet and Greet! thumbnail image
Meet and Greet!
Making a Human Timeline to Bring History to life!
8-10
...
Government
History
...
 View Lesson
Epic Victory of Good over Evil thumbnail image
Epic Victory of Good over Evil
Wisdom & morality via story & character study
8-10
...
Visual Art
Lang. Arts
...
 View Lesson