Identity

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.” – Winnie The Pooh.

Questions to reflect on while reading:

How do we stay true to who we are?
What is special about your family?
What are some of your family’s special traditions?

All together: What makes you special? This activity gets the children to think about their identity as an iceberg - there's only a small amount people can know just by looking at you. What really makes you 'you' lies beneath the surface and people won't know these things until they get to know you. The moral of the lesson being that we shouldn't judge people on what we see or hear, get to know the whole iceberg (person!)

Activity: My Iceberg Identity

The Proudest Blue

Ibtihaj Muhammad

Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. Best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

Discussion Guide

Activity: Design a poster to represent what an inclusive school should look like.

Conflict and resolution activity: Grades 3-5

Proudest Blue Student Response

Jasmine Toguchi

Mochi Queen

Debbi Florence

Jasmine Toguchi, wants to do something before her older

sister for once. So when her family comes to visit for New Year's, she sets her sights on pounding Japanese mochi, traditionally a boys-only job

Activity: Community Recipe Book

Origami Dolls

Mochi Queen Response

Some Places More Than Others

Renee Watson

All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father’s family in New York City. She can’t wait to finally meet Grandpa Earl and her cousins. Maybe this will help her understand her family--and herself. As she explores, and learns about her father and his family history, she realizes how she connects with it all.

Activity: Amara's teacher assigned her a project to fill a suitcase with items that are important to her family and culture. What would you put in your suitcase?

Some Places More than Others Student Response

Read-Alikes

Want more books that examine the theme of Identity? Try some of the titles below.