Understanding Ourselves and Sharing with Others

Tanenbaum Curriculum	Religions In My Neighborhood, p. 63
Lesson Name	Understanding Ourselves and Sharing with Others
Grade Band	Elementary (Grades 3-5) Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Tanenbaum Curriculum

Religions In My Neighborhood, p. 63

Lesson Name

Grade Band

Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Required Materials

Make four signs on one color paper: Brothers, Sisters, Brothers and Sisters, Only Child.
Post a sign on each of the four walls of the classroom.
On paper of another color make four signs: Watch TV, Read a Book, Listen to Music, Play a Favorite Game/Toy.

Post one of the signs on each of the four walls of the classroom.
Make copies of the Who Am I? handout for each student, with additional copies available should a student request a second copy. (Note: We suggest using the outline of a person for Grades 3-4 and the star version for Grades 5 and above.)
Distribute the Who Am I? handout the night before the lesson with directions that students work with family members, as needed, to complete the handout to bring to class the next day.
Have a completed copy of your own Who Am I? form.
Identify space on each classroom wall to post students completed Who Am I? forms around the room. Pre-cut pieces of tape for students to use to post their forms.
Have circle centerpiece and talking stick.

Standards / Competencies	CASEL Core Competencies Self-Awareness Social Awareness Relationship Skills Common Core ELA-Literacy Standards Speaking and Listening Writing NCSS Social Studies Themes Individual Development and Identity
Recommended Time	1 hour

Standards / Competencies

CASEL Core Competencies

Common Core ELA-Literacy Standards

NCSS Social Studies Themes

Recommended Time

1 hour

Essential Question	Why is it important for each of us to know about ourselves and share who we are with others?
Learning Objectives	Identify key characteristics that make them who they are. Recognize that each person is unique in how they identify themselves. Explain why their personal characteristics are important to them and to their peers. Recognize that diversity is a natural, ordinary part of life.
Important Vocabulary	Oath: A solemn (serious) promise, sometimes referring to God as a witness, regarding one’s future action or behavior.

Activating Prior Knowledge	Ask students to stand and move to the wall that describes if they have siblings (Brothers, Sisters, Brothers and Sisters, Only Child). Discuss the number of siblings and move to the next set of signs (Watch TV, Read a Book, Listen to Music, Play a Favorite Game/Toy). Have students choose based on their preferences for a rainy day and discuss their choices.
Core Instruction	Have students complete the “Who Am I?” handout with family input. Share three things about themselves in a circle using a talking piece. Discuss similarities and differences observed in the class. Encourage students to notice what they learned about themselves and others.
Wrap-up	Ask students to share one word describing how they felt while sharing and listening. Thank students for their participation and explain that their forms will be posted for further reflection.
Assessment	Class Unity Project: Divide the class into small groups and provide them with large paper, markers, and crayons. Each group creates a collaborative artwork that represents the class as a whole based on the “Who Am I?” forms around the room. They can include symbols, colors, and images that represent their shared experiences and identities.

Download this lesson to access handouts.