Objective:
Students will understand concepts of identity and belonging, fostering empathy and critical thinking, while exploring the historical misuse of eugenics. Students will connect these concepts to modern perspectives on diversity and inclusion.
Essential Questions:
- What defines who you are? (can be an object, person(s), family, believes)
- What makes you feel like you belong to a group?
- What are some aspects of your identity that you are proud of?
Suggested Reading for class discussion:
La casa en Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Becoming: Mi Historia Adaptada Para Jóvenes by Michelle Obama
¿De dónde eres? by Yamilet Saied
Key Vocabulary: group, family, belief, identity, belonging
Lesson flow:
The lesson will begin with the question: “What defines who we are?” to introduce today’s concept of exploring identity and belonging as it relates to its misuse in eugenics. Explain to students that an individual’s sense of being part of a culture or group that shares such things as language, traditions, and values is his/her cultural identity. The feeling of belonging is the sense of being accepted and connected. The students should understand that these are not “fixed” concepts and may be influenced by family, culture, personal interests, and current community. Use age-appropriate language to explain that identity shapes how we see ourselves and belonging influences how we connect with others.
Share personal anecdotes about identity and belonging, demonstrating how these elements contribute to individual uniqueness and the strength of communities. Show students how to reflect on their own identities constructively.
Let the lesson proceed with a historical overview that focuses on how eugenics used scientific data to justify differences between people of diverse backgrounds. Use visuals that will help students understand the harm these ideas cause and the way people refute them. Highlight the importance of celebrating differences rather than judging them.
Have a collaborative exploration with your students. Facilitate a group discussion by asking open-ended questions such as:
- What makes you feel like you belong to a group? (Explain to students that groups could be any number of people who come together because they share something in common)
- What are some aspects of your identity that you are proud of?
Encourage students to share their thoughts while ensuring a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels safe to participate. Use prompts to guide them in identifying positive traits in themselves and their peers. Organize a classroom identity map. Give time to the students to work together to create a visual chart where they list traits, traditions, and values that are meaningful to them. Discuss how the map reflects the diversity of their classroom and how everyone contributes to the community.
For independent group activity, divide your students into small groups. Give each group a two-page synopsis of the selected reading, which should include the main character embracing their identity. After a brief discussion on how the character discovers their identity and finds a place to belong, guide each group to create an Identity Collage using words, pictures, and drawings that represent who they are (e.g., hobbies, traditions, family, dreams). Make sure that the unique traits of each group member are represented. Once completed, each group will present its work. After presenting their projects to the class, lead a reflective discussion about what they learned from each other's work. Ask questions like:
- How did this activity help you appreciate diversity?
- What did you learn about identity and belonging?
To conclude the lesson, each student writes a reflection paragraph in their journal where they describe their own identity and a time when they felt a strong sense of belonging. Encourage them to consider how these experiences shape who they are today. Use these journal entries to assess student understanding of the concepts and adjust instruction as needed
Close the lesson with a video about individuals who have championed inclusion and fought against discrimination. Understanding identity and belonging supports the students to embrace the way they see and express themselves.
This structured approach ensures that students engage deeply with the concepts of identity and belonging, connecting them to the broader historical and ethical implications of eugenics in a way that fosters a future that is free from the racism and politics of exclusion that eugenics promoted.
