What you will be able to do
explain that identity has many parts; name examples of culture without stereotyping; describe similarities and differences respectfully
Identity and Culture
How can we describe identity and culture with care and respect?
Activate what you know
Choose a fictional character from a familiar story. Name two things that help describe the character, such as a role, interest, language, place, or friendship
- identitythe many parts of who a person is and how that person understands themself
- cultureshared and learned ways of living, communicating, creating, and making meaning
- languagea system people use to communicate, including spoken and signed languages
- customa way of doing something that is shared by a group
- belongingfeeling accepted, included, and connected
- communitypeople connected by a place, interest, experience, or shared responsibility
- stereotypean unfair, oversimple idea that treats everyone in a group as the same
1
A Person Is More Than One Label
Identity includes many parts of who a person is. Roles, relationships, languages, interests, abilities, places, beliefs, and group connections can all matter. Some parts are visible and others are not. People may describe their own identities in different ways, and their words deserve respect. One label never tells a whole story. Knowing that Amari is a teammate does not tell us which language Amari uses or what Amari likes to draw. We should not guess a person’s culture, religion, family, ability, or interests from a name, clothing, skin color, accent, or appearance. Asking respectful questions and listening are better than assuming
2
Culture Connects People Without Making Them Identical
Culture includes learned and shared ways people communicate, create, celebrate, solve problems, and understand the world. Language, stories, music, foods, clothing, beliefs, and customs may be parts of culture. Cultures are living: people carry traditions forward, combine influences, create new practices, and make choices about what matters to them. People can share a culture and still differ from one another. Two people may speak the same language but enjoy different music or celebrate a holiday differently. A respectful comparison names a specific similarity or difference without ranking it. ‘Both communities tell stories, and the stories use different languages’ is more accurate than saying one way is normal and another is strange
Respect the Whole Person
Describe what a person shares about themself. Use accurate words, avoid guesses, and remember that every person belongs to more than one group
Use Specific, Neutral Words
Model ‘same in this way’ and ‘different in this way.’ Replace vague labels such as weird or normal with exact descriptions of language, action, material, or meaning
Culture Is Not a Costume or a Checklist
Clothing, food, and celebrations may express culture, but culture also includes language, knowledge, values, relationships, and everyday life. Not every member of a group follows the same practices
Fictional Identity Web
Create an identity web for a fictional child using five teacher-provided cards, such as learner, neighbor, musician, Spanish speaker, and nature helper. Explain why no one card tells the whole story
Identity has many parts, and culture includes shared, learned, and changing ways of life. Respectful social studies descriptions are specific, avoid stereotypes, and allow people to name their own identities
Practice and answer guide
Work through all 8 questions. Open an answer only after you have written or explained your response.
- 1. Which sentence best explains identity? A. Identity has many connected parts. B. One label tells everything about a person. C. Everyone in a group is exactly alike
Check answer
Identity has many connected parts
- 2. Which is an example of culture? A. a shared language and storytelling practice B. a person’s height measured today C. the number on a bus
Check answer
A shared language and storytelling practice
- 3. Draw an identity web for a fictional character. Include at least four different parts, such as roles, interests, languages, or communities
Check answer
Answers will vary. The web should describe one fictional person with at least four different, non-stereotyped parts. Drawing, labels, or oral explanation are acceptable
- 4. Why should we not guess a person’s interests from that person’s appearance?
Check answer
Appearance does not tell us a person’s interests, experiences, or choices. Guessing can create stereotypes
- 5. Rewrite this stereotype respectfully: ‘Everyone in that community eats the same food.’
Check answer
Accept: ‘People in the community may eat many different foods, and some foods may be shared customs.’
- 6. Two fictional communities both tell stories. One often uses a spoken language and one often uses a signed language. Name the similarity and difference without ranking them
Check answer
Similarity: Both communities tell stories. Difference: One often uses a spoken language and one often uses a signed language. Neither is ranked
- 7. Which sentence uses respectful comparison? A. The customs are different, and we can learn what each means. B. Their customs are strange. C. Our way is the only normal way
Check answer
The customs are different, and we can learn what each means
- 8. Explain one way culture can continue and one way it can change
Check answer
Example: A story may continue to be shared across generations, while people may tell it through a new medium. Other accurate examples are acceptable