Complexity: On Grade Level

Potential Use: Topic is sexual identity. This is a chapter book about a transgender fourth-grader who increasingly learns to be herself and to tell others about her secret. Along the way, she finds many supportive advocates, but her greatest ally is her best friend, Kelly. This fits the essential questions because it shows the main character questioning her identity and how others see her. This could be used as a selection choice for students in book clubs/groups.

Reference:
Gino, A. (2017). George. New York City, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Complexity: Above Grade Level

Potential Use: Topic is gender, sexual identity, rights, and activism. The actual bill was adopted in 1995 and could be used to discuss what legal rights we have or don’t have in the United States when it pertains to gender. This source could be used in conjunction with the book George by Alex Gino. This addresses the essential questions by giving students a source of what their rights are when it pertains to gender identity.

Reference:
International Conference on Transgender Law and Employment Policy. (1996). International bill of gender rights. Retrieved from https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/texts/international-bill-of-gender-rights. 

Complexity: Below and On Grade Level

Potential Use: This video includes people’s accounts on how they felt before and after moving to a foreign country. This video could be used to show students different perspectives how others felt when they moved to a new country and how their identity may have changed being in a foreign country. This could also be used with students who have moved from another country, for them to identify with others who may be going through some of the same feelings of feeling lost and/or alone. This addresses the essential questions by answering who each person in the video was before they moved and how others perceive who they were in the new country. A great video that addresses the essential question Is identity constant?

Reference:
Coram [Screen name]. (2017, November 16). What does belonging mean to you? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfMXcAKxMRk. 

Complexity: Below and On Grade Level

Potential Use: This video shows different teens and how they feel about themselves versus what others may see them as. This is done by them filling in the sentences… “I am ….” and “I am not…” Potential uses would be a follow up activity for students to come up with their own “I am…” and “I am not…” statements and then sharing with others. This video addresses the essential questions of How do I see myself? versus how we think others see us.

Reference:
Vox ATL [Screen name]. (2017, March 1]. I am...I am not...teen’s identity [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpO27mNYMIc. 

Complexity: Below, On Grade, and Above Grade Level (This article’s Lexile levels can be chosen (590L - 1270L), so this is below, on, and above grade level).

Potential Use: This article is about how a black girl has learned to deal with bullies and finding her true self. Potentially used to show empowerment and overcoming hardships. Students may connect with the subject matter and may have ideas in which they themselves can be empowered. This addresses the essential questions by asking students who they are and how others (i.e. a bully) sees them. Discussions about who they want to be may also come up with this source.

Reference:
Italie, L. (2019, March 18). Flexin’ in her complexion: Bullied girl  a messenger of hope. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/flexin-her-complexion-bullied-girl-messenger-hope/. 

Complexity: On Grade Level

Potential Use: topic: This source explores different racial experiences in America through a collection of poems by two classmates who pair up to write poems from their point of views on different aspects of their daily lives. Potential uses could include having students pair up and write similar poems as the characters; students could also work individually on writing poems. This addresses the essential question of how students see themselves using a different format, poetry.

Reference:
Latham, I. (2018). Can I touch your hair? Poems of race, mistakes and friendship. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.

Complexity: On Grade Level

Potential Use: The topic is love and self-identity over time. This story is about a toy China rabbit who goes on a journey.  Throughout the book the rabbit changes owners many times and each owner gives him/her a new name and identity. As the rabbit moves through owners, he learns many life lessons, mostly about love.  Even though this book is on grade level it is a quick read and can be used as a read aloud, used in a book club or individually.  This chapter book addresses the essential question of how identity changes over time the way Edward Tulane character changed and grew with each new owner.

Reference:
DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Complexity: Below Grade Level
Potential Use: The topic is self-identity, gender roles, rights & activism. This picture book about Malala Yousafzai follows her quest to continue to go to school and to fight for equal rights for girls.  This book could be used be an informative read aloud to the class.  The text connects to the theme of self-identity as Malala consistently holds true and fights for what she believes to be equal rights.  She holds a strong identity of herself with the support of her father.

Reference:
Maslo, L. (2018). Free as a bird. New York, NY: Balzer + Bra.

Complexity: Below Grade Level

Potential Use: The topic is being true to your inner self.  This book can be a fun introduction to a self-identity unit. Red has a bright red label, but he is in fact, blue.  This story is about being true to your inner self and following your own path despite obstacles that may come your way and connects well with the essential questions of how one sees themselves may be different than how others see themselves.

Reference:
Hall, M. (2015). Red: A crayon’s story. New York, NY : Greenwillow Books.

Complexity: Below Grade Level

Potential Use: The topic is stereotypes and self-love. This website shares student poems using a set format.  Students can create very powerful statements about how they see themselves in relationship to how others may see them.  It can also be a good reminder about how misleading stereotypes can be. This text connects to the essential questions because it explores the difference between how one sees themselves as opposed to how they think others view them.

Reference:
Karlyn N. (2014, January 17). "Just Because..." Student Poems about Shattering Stereotypes and Embracing our True Selves (*New Poem Added!) [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.worldpulse.com/community/users/karly-n/posts/30976.

Complexity: Grade Level

Potential Use: This song is about knowing that you’re okay even if you’re broken.  It is a current song, so students will be more familiar with it.  It has good use of descriptive language and vocabulary.  The lyrics fit well with the essential questions because they will resonate with grade 5 students who are trying to fit in with their peers and discover who they are.

Reference:
MAC, S., MCDAID, J., MOORE, A. B., & MARSHMELLO. (2019). Broken and beautiful [Recorded by Kelly Clarkson]. UglyDolls [Motion Picture]. Burbank, CA: STX Entertainment. 

Complexity: Above Grade Level

Potential Use: This song is about courage and self acceptance.  This is another popular song attached to a movie that many kids will be familiar with.  The theme of accepting oneself for who they are and embracing the journey towards becoming the person you want to be is important for 11 year olds to loudly hear.  This song could be broken up into parts and students share and reflect on the different takeaways.

Reference:
Paek, B. & Paul, J. (2017). This is me [Recorded by Keala Settle]. The Greatest Showman [Motion Picture]. Los Angeles, CA: 20th Century Fox.