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How Do Holidays Shape Our Identity?

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Lesson Plan

Identity and Holiday Reflection

Students will explore and reflect upon the personal and cultural impact of winter holidays on their identity, fostering self-awareness and developing personal narrative skills.

Understanding how cultural traditions and personal experiences shape our identity is crucial for self-discovery and appreciating the diverse perspectives of others. This lesson helps students connect their own lives to broader cultural themes.

Audience

High School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Through guided reflection, journal writing, and reading diverse perspectives.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, My Holiday Story My Identity Slide Deck, Holiday Memories and Me Journal, Diverse Perspectives on Holiday Impact Reading, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up: What's Your Holiday Vibe?

10 minutes

  • Begin by displaying the title slide of the My Holiday Story My Identity Slide Deck and pose the question: "How do holidays shape our identity?"
    * Ask students to briefly jot down 1-2 words that come to mind when they think of holidays and their personal connection to them. (e.g., family, food, gifts, reflection, stress, joy).
    * Facilitate a brief class discussion, inviting students to share some of their words and initial thoughts. Emphasize that holidays mean different things to different people.

Step 2

Exploring Personal Identity: My Holiday Story

20 minutes

  • Transition to the slides that introduce the concept of identity and how personal experiences, especially during holidays, contribute to it.
    * Distribute the Holiday Memories and Me Journal or direct students to the digital version.
    * Explain that they will be reflecting on their own holiday memories and how those experiences have shaped who they are. Encourage them to think about specific traditions, feelings, and significant moments.
    * Provide students with dedicated time to complete the journal prompts. Circulate to offer support and encouragement, reminding them that this is a personal reflection.

Step 3

Broadening Perspectives: Diverse Holiday Narratives

15 minutes

  • After journal writing, introduce the Diverse Perspectives on Holiday Impact Reading.
    * Explain that this reading shares different individuals' experiences with holidays, highlighting the cultural and personal diversity.
    * Have students read the provided text individually or in small groups.
    * After reading, lead a brief discussion on what students noticed about the diverse perspectives. How do these compare to their own experiences? What new insights did they gain about the broader impact of holidays on identity?

Step 4

Connecting and Sharing: The Power of Our Stories

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together. Ask students to consider: "How does understanding others' holiday experiences help us better understand ourselves and our community?"
    * Encourage volunteers to share (if comfortable) one new insight they gained about their own identity or the identity of others through this lesson.
    * Emphasize the idea that our individual stories, shaped by holidays and other experiences, weave together to form the rich tapestry of our community.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Identity Snapshot

5 minutes

  • Display the final slide of the My Holiday Story My Identity Slide Deck which asks: "One word to describe how holidays impact your identity now?"
    * Ask students to write down one word as an exit ticket. Collect these or have them share orally. This provides a quick check for understanding and personal synthesis.
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Slide Deck

How Do Holidays Shape Our Identity?

What comes to mind when you think of holidays and your connection to them?

Welcome students and display the title. Ask students to think about holidays and their personal connection. Have them jot down 1-2 words that come to mind. Facilitate a brief discussion, emphasizing diverse meanings.

What is Identity?

Who are you?

How do your experiences make you, YOU?

Transition to the idea of identity. Explain that identity is who we are, a blend of our experiences, beliefs, and values. Ask students to consider how their personal experiences shape them.

Holiday Memories & Me

Time to reflect!

Use your Holiday Memories and Me Journal to explore how your holiday experiences have shaped who you are.

Introduce the Holiday Memories and Me Journal. Explain that students will be reflecting on their own holiday memories and how those experiences have shaped their identity. Encourage thoughtful completion.

Beyond My Story

Let's explore how holidays impact others.

Read the Diverse Perspectives on Holiday Impact Reading to gain new insights.

Introduce the "Diverse Perspectives on Holiday Impact" reading. Explain that they will see how others experience holidays differently. Prepare them for a discussion after reading.

Connecting Our Stories

How do diverse holiday experiences help us understand ourselves and our community better?

Facilitate a discussion. Prompt students to connect the reading to their own experiences and consider how understanding diverse perspectives enriches their understanding of themselves and their community.

Identity Snapshot

One word to describe how holidays impact your identity now?

For the exit ticket, ask students to summarize the impact of holidays on their identity in one word. This will be a quick check for understanding and personal synthesis.

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Journal

Holiday Memories and Me Journal

Take some time to reflect on your holiday experiences. Be honest with yourself as you explore how these moments have shaped who you are.

Prompt 1: My Earliest Holiday Memory

Think back to one of your earliest holiday memories. What do you remember? Who was there? What did you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel? Describe this memory in detail.












How did this memory make you feel then? How does it make you feel now?







Prompt 2: Holiday Traditions - Then and Now

What are some holiday traditions you experienced growing up? Are they the same traditions you observe now, or have they changed? If they have changed, how and why?












How do these traditions, or changes in traditions, connect to who you are today?







Prompt 3: A Holiday Challenge or Joy

Recall a holiday experience that was particularly challenging, difficult, or surprisingly joyful. Describe the situation.












What did you learn about yourself or others from this experience? How did it impact your perspective or your sense of self?












Prompt 4: My Holiday Identity

Considering all your reflections, how do holidays contribute to your overall sense of identity? What unique aspects of yourself do you see reflected in your holiday experiences?













What message about yourself or your family do your holiday traditions convey, whether intentionally or unintentionally?













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