IDENTITY UNIT
Our first unit takes a deep look into our identity and forces us to think about why we are who we are! We cannot wait to learn more about who YOU are!
Essential Questions we will explore in our unit:
- What part does self-discovery play in enriching our lives?
- How can setting up challenging and appropriate goals help us to reach our maximum potential?
_________________________________________________________________________
William James’ Many Selves Theory
Famous psychologist William James developed many theories about multiple selves in his career. His findings were so significant that he is known as the Father of American Psychology, and I think you will agree that the theory of multiple selves significantly applies to your own life.
Properly speaking, a man has as many social selves as there are individuals who recognize him and carry an image of him in their head.
-William James
Please respond to this quote. What does it mean? Can you give specific examples of your different social selves?
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains what you think this quote means. Please use TWO specific examples from your own life to support or to refute James’ quote.
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: Self vs Self Conflict
Write in your Reading Journal: Have you ever experienced a conflict between your many selves? Write about a time that one self was fighting with another. Be specific, use dialogue to express these different parts of yourself. Make sure to tell us the ending outcome of this conflict and what you learned from it. Feel free to be creative, maybe you’d like to write your selves as characters like in the movie Inside Out.
________________________________________________________________________
Multiple Intelligences
Everybody learns differently and has different strengths. Click the link to take the MI test and find out your results- write your results down ASAP because once you leave the page they are not saved. Click on your various skills to read the descriptions.
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains your strongest Multiple Intelligence. Be sure to use at least ONE QUOTE from the Edutopia website. Also include a specific example from your life that shows you using this MI in action!
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
https://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-assessment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge:
How can your teachers help you learn best given your Multiple Intelligence results? What would a regular class look like if it was geared towards your own MI? Provide specific examples of ideas for a specific class (maybe the class you struggle in the most? Or maybe your favorite class? It´s up to you!).
_________________________________________________________________________
Birth Order
Where you fall in your family order, first, middle, last, or only, can say a lot about your personality. Click the link to explore birth order traits. Do you identity with the characteristics associated with your birth order?
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/birth-order-traits
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains your Birth Order traits. Be sure to use at least ONE QUOTE from the Real Simple website. Also include a specific example from your life that shows you using these Birth Order traits in action!
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: How Scientific Are Birth Order Trait Differences?
Scientific American discusses whether or not birth order traits are actually supported by data. Read and consider, are we actually ruled by our birth order, which is something we can´t control? Share your final opinion in a brief response in your notebook.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ruled-by-birth-order/
_________________________________________________________________________
Right Brained or Left Brained?
The brain has two hemispheres which are joined by the corpus callosum. While it all works together to function as a whole, one side may be firing first or slightly faster than the other (like how both your hands work, but you may be right or left handed). How you answer these rapid fire quiz questions on will reveal which side is most dominant.
Find out which side of your brain is most dominant by taking this online quiz: https://braintest.sommer-sommer.com/en/
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains which side of your brain is dominant, right or left. The quiz results should list characteristics for each side of the brain- Do you associate more with right or left brained characteristics? Be sure to QUOTE specific characteristics from the Sommer’s website. Also include a specific example from your life that shows you using these right or left brained traits in action!
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: Is the Right/Left Brain Debate a Myth?
Is the right brained vs left brained personality differences a myth? Write your response in your Reading Notebook. Click to read another perspective and see what you think:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: Phineas Gage’s Brain
In 1848, Phineas Gage was injured while working on a railroad. The result was an iron spike which was driven through his brain. Miraculously, Gage survived, and was even able to walk to the doctor for help. After the incident, his entire personality changed. Consider, how our physical brains create our personalities, when they are damaged personalities are likely to change.
Warning, there are some gross brain and guts details here:
https://www.verywellmind.com/phineas-gage-2795244
Write any reactions to Gage’s story in your Reading Notebook. Connect how his brain injury affected his personality to the left/right brain dominant theory.
_________________________________________________________________________
Love Languages
Because we are all so different, it is important to remember that everyone shows and receives love differently. For one person hugs might be huge, while another person might feel unsafe if someone is in their personal space. Take the quiz to learn the ´languages´ that you love in. Write down or copy your results ASAP because the cite won´t save them once you leave the page.
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains which is your primary love language. The quiz results should list characteristics for each side type- Be sure to QUOTE specific characteristics from the website. Also include a specific example from your life that shows you using this love language in action!
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
_________________________________________________________________________
Self-Concept
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains one of the three self-concepts (self-images, self-esteem, or the ideal self) using at least ONE QUOTE from the Common Lit article. Also connect the self-concept your chose to your own life using a specific example that reveals something about your own self-image, self-esteem, or ideal self.
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: Who Am I?
Answer the question “Who Am I?” in at least 10 different ways. How many of your responses fall into each of the four categories outlined in paragraph 6? Which of your responses do you consider most important to your self-image?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: The Masks We Wear
With our many selves bumping about in our minds, it can become natural to put on a different self, or a even a mask in situations. Are there times when you feel that the self which everyone else sees is different from the self that you see in the mirror?
Create a two-sided mask:
On the outside show how you believe others see you using symbols/colors/illustrations.
On the inside, show how you see yourself using symbols/colors/illustrations.
Write about the symbols/colors/shapes that you used on both sides of your mask to illustrate these different versions of yourself. How can being aware of how we see ourselves benefit our day-to-day?
_________________________________________________________________________
Nature vs Nurture
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal that explains the difference between nature and nurture using at least ONE QUOTE from the Common Lit article. Also include whether you believe that you have been shaped more by nature or by nurture, use a specific example from your life to support your claim.
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Challenge: Three Identical Strangers
*SPOILER ALERT: if you choose to research this option, it will spoil key plot points in the documentary film Three Identical Strangers… it’s up to you if you want to proceed.*
Read the review of the movie Three Identical Strangers, a documentary about the true story of three triplets separated at birth. I highly recommend the trailer, which is in the article, but please use headphones so you don’t both your neighbor.
VITALS
V values,
I interests,
T temperment
A around the clock,
L life mission/goals,
S strengths
Understanding yourself is vital. It is proven to improve your quality of life. Read here to learn about the benefits of knowing yourself and to identify your own VITALS in an acrostic poem.
Write an acrostic poem identifying your V.I.T.A.L.S in your Reading Notebook. Next write a paragraph in your Reading Notebook detailing one of your V.I.T.A.L.S using specific examples from your life. Also include how knowing yourself is beneficial for your personal wellness and be sure to include ONE QUOTE from the article.
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
_________________________________________________________________________
Label Your Emotions
Part of being self-aware is understanding your emotions. A lot of people have a very limited vocabulary when it comes to expressing what emotions they’re feeling, and this limits their ability to be fully aware of, and to fully comprehend, what they’re feeling.
If you get better at labeling your emotions, not only will you lead an emotionally richer life, but you’ll also be able to respond more appropriately to what’s happening around you.
One way to get better at labeling your emotions is by becoming familiar with the Plutchik Wheel of Emotions.
Write a paragraph in your Reading Journal about your own feelings using specific vocabulary. You could choose a particular memory or how you are feeling today or even share the most common feelings in your life at this time. It´s up to you. Include how understanding these feelings and using specific vocabulary can benefit you as a person. Use at least ONE QUOTE from the article.
*Don’t forget to PEEL and use Imagery!
Credit: daringtolivefully.com by Marelisa
_________________________________________________________________________