Central Questions
What is race? What is a social construction?
What is my place in the world?
How do I identify myself? How do others identify me?
What is a community and what is its purpose? What makes it function or fall apart?
What causes certain groups in our society to have advantages while others do not?
Unit Overview
This unit establishes a foundation for understanding identity, self-perception, and self-discovery. Students will begin by defining key terms essential to the course (e.g., race, ethnicity, hegemony, master narrative, etc.), using these concepts to explore how language shapes our understanding of ourselves and others. By examining race as a social construct, students will analyze how societal definitions of identity influence personal and collective self-perception. The unit will also challenge students to consider how English—the dominant language in American discourse—functions as both a tool of empowerment and a mechanism of control in shaping narratives about identity, belonging, and exclusion.
Suggested Unit Length
Approximately 3-5 Weeks
Suggested Vocabulary
Identity
Race & Ethnicity
Hegemony
Master Narrative
Social Construction
Belonging & Exclusion
Self-Perception
Community
Cultural Representation
Code-Switching
Afrofuturism
Ethnic Studies Targets
(3) Furthering self-understanding – Encouraging students to explore and articulate their identities.
(4) Developing a better understanding of others – Examining how language and society shape perceptions of identity.
(6) Promoting self-empowerment for civic engagement – Encouraging students to claim their voice through writing and discussion.
English Standards (Targeted)
Reading Standards
RL.9-10.1 – Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly and implicitly.
RI.9-10.1 – Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of informational texts.
Writing Standards
W.9-10.3 – Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences, using effective technique, details, and structure.
Speaking and Listening Standards
SL.9-10.1 – Initiate and participate in collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly (entry-level focus).
L.9-10.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings.
Text Bank
Shorter Literature
"Quilt of a Country" (Anna Quindlen)
Langston Hughes’ "Theme for English B" (Text)
"America" (Claude McKay)
"Only Daughter" (Sandra Cisneros)
"Names/Nombres" (Julia Alvarez)
Futurism and Afrofuturism:
Excerpt from Black Panther (screenplay or film clip).
N.K. Jemisin’s “The Ones Who Stay and Fight” (Text)
Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower (excerpts).
Nonfiction & Articles
TED Talk: Rosie King – How Autism Freed Me to Be Myself
Indefinite Inevitable (Lauren Groff)
The Circuit (Francisco Jimenez)
Novels for Consideration
Solito (Javier Zamora)
The Distance Between Us (Reyna Grande)
Long Way Down (Jason Reynolds)
The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan)
American Born Chinese (Gene Luen Yang)
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break (Lensey Namioka)
Videos and Media
"The Danger of a Single Story" (Chimamanda Adichie – TED Talk)
"Afrofuturism mixes sci-fi and social justice. Here’s how it works" by Vox (Video) (Accompanying Article)
Back to the Future (Part 2), The Future (Video)
Video Essay: Afrofuturism in Black Panther (Video)
T'Challa Arrives in Wakanda (Video)
Assessment Bank
Personal Narrative Essay – Students write about an experience that shapes their identity.
Collaborative Discussion Circles – Small groups discuss identity and self-perception using texts as evidence.
Identity Portfolio – A collection of writing, images, and reflections exploring personal and cultural identity.
Gallery Walk: Representation in Media – Students analyze how identity is portrayed in various forms of media.
Socratic Seminar – Discussion on "The Danger of a Single Story" and how personal narratives shape understanding.
Multimedia Project – Students create a digital or visual presentation representing their identity and influences.