Lesson Plan
Identity Map Guide
Students will create an identity map with at least four dimensions (strengths, values, interests, cultures) and explain one way a label has impacted them.
This lesson helps students understand their multifaceted identities beyond external labels, fostering self-awareness and resilience in navigating societal perceptions. It's important for building a strong sense of self and promoting positive self-worth.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through a warm-up, mini-lesson, identity mapping, and sharing, students will explore their identities.
Materials
Beyond Labels Visuals, Four Corners Identity Walk, Identity Map Template, Label Impact Reflection, and Exit Ticket: One Thing to Celebrate
Prep
Review Materials and Prepare Room
10 minutes
- Review the Identity Map Guide, Beyond Labels Visuals, Four Corners Identity Walk, Identity Map Template, Label Impact Reflection, and Exit Ticket: One Thing to Celebrate.
- Arrange classroom for a 'Four Corners' activity, ensuring enough space for students to move around.
- Print copies of the Identity Map Template and Label Impact Reflection (one per student).
- Prepare presentation of Beyond Labels Visuals on a projector or whiteboard.
Step 1
Warm-up: Four Corners on Identity Statements
5 minutes
- Objective: Engage students and activate prior knowledge about identity.
* Instructions: Lead the Four Corners Identity Walk activity. Project or read out identity statements. Students move to the corner that best represents their agreement/disagreement. Facilitate brief discussions after each statement.
Step 2
Mini-lesson: Labels vs. Lived Identity
5 minutes
- Objective: Introduce the concept of identity mapping and the difference between labels and personal identity.
* Instructions: Use the Beyond Labels Visuals to guide a discussion on what labels are and how they can limit our understanding of ourselves and others. Introduce the idea of a
Step 3
Why do we use different styles of language when speaking and writing in different situations? What kinds of things might change about our language choices depending on who we are talking to, or what the purpose of our communication is?
5 minutes
Let’s start with a warm-up! We're going to think about how we use language in different situations. Think about how you talk to your friends versus how you talk to your teacher. Or how you write a text message versus how you write an email. What changes? Why do we do this?
Now, let's explore this a little more with a quick activity. We'll be using a 'Four Corners' activity to get us moving and thinking about our identities.
Step 4
Mini-lesson: Labels vs. Lived Identity
5 minutes
Great warm-up everyone! Now, let's dive into our main topic: 'Who Am I Beyond Labels?' (See Beyond Labels Visuals for slides 2-4).
We all have different parts that make up who we are. Sometimes, other people put labels on us, or we even put labels on ourselves. Labels can be things like 'athlete,' 'smart kid,' 'quiet,' 'class clown,' or even based on our background like 'gamer' or 'artist.'
(Display Slide 2: "Labels: What are they?")
Teacher: What are some labels you've heard people use, either for themselves or for others?
Sometimes these labels can feel good, but sometimes they don't quite capture who we really are. They can feel limiting, right?
(Display Slide 3: "Labels: Helpful or Harmful?")
Teacher: Can a label ever be helpful? When might it be harmful?
That brings us to the idea of 'Lived Identity.' Your lived identity is all the unique, complex, and amazing parts of who you are – your strengths, your values, your interests, your family, your culture, your experiences, your hopes, your dreams. It's much bigger than any single label.
(Display Slide 4: "Lived Identity: Who You Truly Are")
Today, we're going to create something called an 'Identity Map.' It's a way to visually explore and celebrate all the different dimensions of your lived identity. It helps us see ourselves as whole people, not just a collection of labels.
Step 5
Create Personal Identity Maps
10 minutes
Now it's your turn to explore your own unique identity! I'm going to hand out an Identity Map Template. This template will help you think about different aspects of yourself.
(Distribute Identity Map Template to each student. Display Slide 5: "Create Your Identity Map!")
Teacher: On your template, you'll see different sections. I want you to fill in at least four dimensions of your identity. Think about:
* Strengths: What are you good at? What comes easily to you?
* Values: What's important to you? What do you believe in?
* Interests: What do you love doing? What hobbies do you have?
* Culture/Background: What are your family traditions? What cultural groups do you identify with?
You can also include other dimensions that are important to you, like passions, dreams, challenges, or roles you play. Use words, drawings, symbols – whatever helps you represent yourself!
You have about 10 minutes for this activity. Focus on being honest with yourself and celebrating all the unique parts of who you are. Don't worry about making it perfect; this is for you.
Step 6
Pair Share: One Insight and One Celebration
5 minutes
Alright, artists and self-explorers! Let's pause our individual work for a moment. Now, I want you to turn to a partner. You'll have about 2-3 minutes each to share. (Display Slide 6: "Share Your Map!")
Teacher: When you share with your partner, I want you to focus on two things:
1. One insight: What's one new thing you realized about yourself while creating your identity map, or something that surprised you?
2. One celebration: What's one aspect of your identity that you are proud of, or that you want to celebrate?
Listen actively to your partner, and be respectful of their sharing. Remember, everyone's identity is unique and valuable.
Step 7
Exit Reflection: Reclaiming a Label
5 minutes
Excellent sharing, everyone. It's powerful to see how diverse and rich our identities are. To wrap up, we're going to do a quick reflection. (Display Slide 7: "Reclaim Your Identity!")
I'm going to hand out a short Label Impact Reflection journal prompt. This is for you to reflect individually.
(Distribute Label Impact Reflection to each student.)
Teacher: On this reflection sheet, I want you to think about a label that someone might have given you, or that you might have used for yourself, that doesn't fully capture who you are. Then, I want you to write about how you can 'reclaim' or redefine that label to align with your true, lived identity. How can you take ownership of who you are, beyond that single word?
You'll also complete an Exit Ticket: One Thing to Celebrate where you write down one positive thing you learned or reaffirmed about yourself today. You can hand both of these in as you leave class.
Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. Remember, your identity is vast, complex, and beautiful!
Slide Deck
Who Am I Beyond Labels?
Exploring Your Unique Identity
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Get them thinking about identity in a broad sense before diving into labels.
Labels: What Are They?
• Words or phrases used to categorize people
• Can be based on interests, personality, group affiliation, etc.
• Examples: "athlete," "smart," "quiet," "class clown," "gamer," "artist"
Ask students what labels they commonly hear or use. Encourage a variety of responses, both positive and negative, to set the stage for discussion.
Labels: Helpful or Harmful?
• Can provide a sense of belonging
• Can simplify understanding
• Can lead to assumptions and stereotypes
• Can limit how we see ourselves and others
Facilitate a discussion on the dual nature of labels. When can they be useful (e.g., sense of belonging)? When can they be limiting or harmful (e.g., stereotypes, misrepresentation)?
Lived Identity: Who You Truly Are
• All the unique, complex, and dynamic parts of you
• Includes strengths, values, interests, culture, experiences, hopes, dreams
• Goes beyond simple categories or expectations
Define lived identity as a comprehensive, dynamic view of self. Emphasize that it's much more than any single label.
Create Your Identity Map!
• A visual representation of your unique identity
• Include at least four dimensions:
• Strengths
• Values
• Interests
• Culture/Background
• Use words, drawings, or symbols!
• You have 10 minutes!
Introduce the Identity Map as a tool for self-exploration. Explain the different dimensions and encourage students to personalize their maps.
Share Your Map!
• Turn to a partner
• Share one insight you gained while creating your map
• Share one aspect of your identity you want to celebrate
• Listen actively and respectfully
Give clear instructions for the pair-share activity: one insight gained, one aspect to celebrate. Remind students to listen respectfully.
Reclaim Your Identity!
• Reflect on a label that doesn't fully capture you
• How can you redefine or reclaim it?
• How can you own your true self beyond that label?
• Complete your Label Impact Reflection and Exit Ticket: One Thing to Celebrate
Explain the final reflection, encouraging students to think about how they can redefine or reclaim a label to align with their true selves. Introduce the exit ticket.
Activity
Four Corners Identity Walk
Objective: To engage students in a dynamic activity that explores different aspects of identity and self-perception.
Materials:
- Four signs labeled: "Strongly Agree," "Agree," "Disagree," "Strongly Disagree" (or use the four corners of the room as designated areas).
- List of identity statements (provided below).
Instructions:
- Designate each corner of the room with one of the four signs: "Strongly Agree," "Agree," "Disagree," "Strongly Disagree."
- Explain to students that you will read a series of statements related to identity. After each statement, they should move to the corner that best represents their level of agreement or disagreement with the statement.
- Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers, and the goal is to reflect on their personal feelings. Encourage students to be respectful of others' opinions and choices.
- After students have moved, call on a few individuals from different corners to briefly explain why they chose that corner. Encourage them to share their reasoning without judgment.
- After a brief discussion for each statement, instruct students to return to the center of the room before you read the next statement.
Identity Statements:
- "I am often defined by what I like to do in my free time (e.g., gamer, artist, athlete)."
- "My family's cultural background is a very important part of who I am."
- "I feel confident expressing my opinions even if they are different from my friends'."
- "I sometimes feel pressured to act a certain way because of a label someone has given me."
- "My future goals and aspirations are a significant part of my identity right now."
- "I believe my unique personality is the most important part of who I am."
Discussion Prompts (after the activity):
- Was it easy or difficult to choose a corner for each statement? Why?
- Did anyone's response surprise you? Why or why not?
- How do these statements relate to the idea of
Worksheet
My Identity Map
Instructions: In the center, write your name or draw a self-portrait. In each surrounding bubble (or create your own), write down or draw aspects of your identity. You must include at least four dimensions: Strengths, Values, Interests, and Culture/Background. Feel free to add more bubbles for other important parts of who you are (e.g., passions, dreams, challenges, roles).
Center: Who Am I?
(Write your name or draw a self-portrait here)
Strengths
(What are you good at? What comes easily to you?)
Values
(What's important to you? What do you believe in?)
Interests
(What do you love doing? What hobbies do you have?)
Culture/Background
(What are your family traditions? What cultural groups do you identify with?)
Other Important Dimensions (Optional)
(Add more here if you like! For example: Passions, Dreams, Challenges, Roles, etc.)
Journal
Label Impact Reflection
Instructions: Think about a label that someone might have given you, or that you might have used for yourself, that doesn't fully capture who you are. This could be a positive or negative label, but one that you feel limits your true identity. Then, reflect on the questions below.
1. The Label
What is the label you are reflecting on? (e.g., "the quiet one," "just an athlete," "too sensitive," "always happy")
2. Impact of the Label
How has this label impacted you? (Consider how it has influenced your thoughts about yourself, your actions, or how others perceive you.)
3. Beyond the Label
What parts of your lived identity (from your identity map or elsewhere) does this label not represent?
4. Reclaiming or Redefining
How can you reclaim or redefine this label to align more accurately with your true, lived identity? What actions or thoughts can help you own who you are beyond this single word?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: One Thing to Celebrate
Instructions: Before you leave, please complete this exit ticket. Reflect on today's lesson about identity and labels.
One Thing to Celebrate
What is one positive thing you learned or reaffirmed about yourself today? This could be a strength, a value, an interest, or simply a feeling of self-acceptance.
Your Name (Optional):