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Celebrating Uniqueness: My Identity Mosaic

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ejeffery

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Celebrating Uniqueness: My Identity Mosaic

Students will explore and appreciate their unique identities and those of their peers, fostering self-acceptance and recognizing the value of diversity.

This lesson helps students understand what makes them special, appreciate the differences in others, and contribute to a classroom where everyone feels valued and celebrated. This leads to a more empathetic and inclusive learning environment.

Audience

K-6 Students

Time

90 minutes (2 sessions of 45 minutes)

Approach

Through art, sharing, and discussion.

Materials

  • My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck, - Identity Elements Activity, - My Identity Mosaic Project Guide, - Construction paper (various colors), - Markers, crayons, or colored pencils, - Scissors, - Glue sticks, and - Old magazines, newspapers, or fabric scraps (optional)

Prep

Preparation Steps

30 minutes

  • Review all generated materials: My Identity Mosaic Lesson Plan, My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck, Identity Elements Activity, and My Identity Mosaic Project Guide.
  • Gather art supplies: construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue sticks. Optional: old magazines, newspapers, or fabric scraps.
  • Set up the classroom for group work and creative activities.
  • Ensure projector or smartboard is ready for the My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck.

Step 1

Session 1: Exploring Our Identity Elements (45 minutes)

45 minutes

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

  • Begin with a quick discussion: "What makes each of us unique?" Introduce the idea that everyone has special qualities and characteristics. Refer to My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck Slide 1.

Introduction to Identity (10 minutes)

  • Use My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck Slides 2-4 to define 'identity' in simple terms. Discuss different aspects of identity (e.g., family, hobbies, favorite things, talents, feelings).
  • Lead a brief class discussion using prompts like, "What is something you love to do?" or "What makes your family special?"

Identity Elements Activity (20 minutes)

  • Distribute the Identity Elements Activity worksheet. Explain to students that they will identify and write or draw aspects of their identity.
  • Encourage them to think about their favorite foods, traditions, hobbies, skills, and feelings.
  • Circulate and assist students as they work, promoting self-reflection.

Share and Reflect (10 minutes)

  • Have students share one or two

Step 2

Session 2: Building Our Identity Mosaics (45 minutes)

45 minutes

Warm-Up & Review (10 minutes)

  • Review the concept of identity and uniqueness from the previous session. Ask students to recall one thing they learned about themselves or a peer. Use My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck Slide 5.
  • Briefly revisit the Identity Elements Activity sheets.

Introducing the Identity Mosaic Project (10 minutes)

  • Introduce the My Identity Mosaic Project Guide. Explain that they will create an 'Identity Mosaic' – an art piece representing their unique selves.
  • Show examples (if available) of mosaics or collages to illustrate the concept. Use My Identity Mosaic Slide Deck Slides 6-7.

Mosaic Creation Time (20 minutes)

  • Distribute construction paper and art supplies. Guide students through the process outlined in the My Identity Mosaic Project Guide.
  • Encourage creativity and remind them to incorporate elements from their Identity Elements Activity.
  • Circulate, offer assistance, and facilitate a calm, creative atmosphere.

Gallery Walk & Cool Down (5 minutes)

  • Once students are finished or near completion, arrange a quick

Step 3

Extension Activities (Optional)

Flexible

  • Identity Storytelling: Students write or verbally share a short story about an item or tradition that is important to their identity.
  • Classroom Identity Quilt: Combine individual mosaic pieces into a larger classroom quilt to visually represent the diversity of the class.
  • Guest Speaker: Invite a community member from a diverse background to share their identity journey.
lenny

Slide Deck

Celebrating Uniqueness: My Identity Mosaic

What makes YOU, YOU?

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's main idea: celebrating what makes each of us special. Ask them to think about what makes them unique.

What is Identity?

It's all the things that make you who you are!

  • Your favorite things
  • Your family
  • Your talents
  • Your feelings
  • Your culture and traditions

Begin by defining identity in simple, age-appropriate terms. Ask students for initial thoughts or ideas about what 'identity' means to them. Encourage a few volunteers to share.

Parts of Your Identity

Your identity includes things like:

  • Your favorite colors and foods
  • The games you like to play
  • Your family's stories and traditions
  • Things you're good at (like drawing, running, or helping others)
  • How you feel and show emotions

Provide concrete examples of different aspects of identity. Ask students to think about which of these apply to them. You can ask: 'What's a hobby you love?' or 'Is there a special tradition in your family?'

Why Is Your Identity Special?

Everyone is unique!

  • There's only one YOU!
  • Your special qualities make our classroom brighter.
  • It's important to love and appreciate all parts of who you are.

Emphasize the importance of individual uniqueness and self-acceptance. Ask students to think about one thing that makes them special and why it's important to celebrate it.

Remember Our Identities?

Last time, we talked about all the things that make us unique!

Today, we're going to put those pieces together to make something beautiful!

For the start of Session 2, review what was discussed in the previous session. Ask students to recall what identity means and what some parts of their identity are. Connect it to the idea of building a mosaic.

What is a Mosaic?

A mosaic is an art picture made from many small, colorful pieces.

Each small piece is important to make the big picture complete and beautiful!

Introduce the concept of a mosaic as an art form made of many small pieces. Explain that their identity mosaic will be similar, but with pieces representing their unique traits.

Your Identity Mosaic Project

You will create your own Identity Mosaic!

  • Use colors, pictures, and words to show who you are.
  • Each piece of your mosaic will represent something special about your identity.
  • Let your creativity shine!

Explain the project. Show any physical examples of mosaics or collages if available. Reinforce that their mosaic will show their unique identity.

Share and Celebrate!

Look at all the amazing and unique mosaics!

  • Every mosaic is different, just like every one of us.
  • Let's celebrate our uniqueness and appreciate everyone's identity!

Conclude by encouraging students to share their creations and to appreciate the diversity in the classroom.

lenny

Activity

My Identity Elements Activity

What makes you special and unique? Draw or write about your identity below!

My Favorite Things

  • What are your favorite colors, foods, or animals?











My Family & Home

  • What makes your family special? Do you have any special traditions?











My Hobbies & Talents

  • What do you love to do? What are you good at?











My Feelings

  • How do you often feel? What makes you happy, silly, or thoughtful?











Something Else Special About Me!

  • Is there anything else that makes you, YOU?











lenny
lenny

Project Guide

My Identity Mosaic Project

It's time to create a beautiful mosaic that shows all the wonderful things that make you, YOU!

Materials You Will Need:

  • Construction paper (your main mosaic background)
  • Small pieces of colorful paper, magazine clippings, fabric scraps, or drawings
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Your Identity Elements Activity sheet for ideas!

Instructions:

  1. Get Ready: Take out your large piece of construction paper. This will be the base for your mosaic. You can choose any color you like!

  2. Think About Your Identity: Look at your Identity Elements Activity sheet. What are the most important or exciting parts of your identity you want to show in your mosaic?

  3. Create Your Mosaic Pieces:

    • Tear or cut small shapes from your colorful paper, magazine clippings, or fabric scraps. These will be the
lenny
lenny

Discussion

Identity Mosaic Discussion: Celebrating Our Class Community

After creating and viewing the Identity Mosaics, let's talk about what we've learned and how special our classroom is!

Discussion Questions:

  1. Sharing Our Mosaics:

    • Who would like to share their Identity Mosaic with the class? What is one thing you included that is very important to your identity?





    • What was your favorite part about creating your mosaic?





  2. Noticing Uniqueness:

    • When you looked at your classmates' mosaics, what was something interesting or unique you noticed?





    • Did you learn something new about a friend today? What was it?





  3. Celebrating Diversity:

    • Why is it important that we all have different identities and interests?





    • How does having so many unique people make our classroom a better place?





  4. Feeling Valued:

    • How does it feel to share something special about yourself and have others listen and appreciate it?





    • What can we do to make sure everyone in our class always feels seen, special, and celebrated?





lenny
lenny