Reflect on these identity-shaping events in descriptive autobiographical pieces. This lesson plan focuses on issues related to race. Because the topic of race is often incendiary, teachers should be particularly mindful in guiding the lesson. Additionally, teachers should be prepared for students coming across extremely derogatory racial terms in the article that may be upsetting or confusing. After a few minutes, ask students to share their definitions, and jot their comments on the board.
Students share their lists with the class.
The article goes into great detail about the backgrounds of Don Terry's parents and their relationship. Ask students to list three to five events that they feel most shaped their concept of their individual identities or made them most aware of their identities. These events can be major accomplishments or everyday occurrences, but students should select those events that they feel were important in the realization of one or more of their identities. You may want to time the writing activity in increments of five minutes per event, announcing at the end of each time block that students should move on to writing about the next event listed. Students should aim to incorporate as many concrete and abstract memories and details about each event as possible, trying to connect the events from different periods in their lives.