IDENTITY AND

CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
Brittany Chassaniol
Summary
This lesson integrates identity, character development, literacy, reading, writing, and
visual content together for students. First, students will learn about character
development and the impact it has on shaping their identity. They will learn about this
through the reading the story Eight Keys to a Better Me and class discussion. Next,
students will learn about how Henri Matisse focuses on identity in his artwork. The
teacher will provide an example of their own key to give the students a starting point,
this will not be fully completed and will specify to put their own creativity into it. The
students will create their own identity projects by creating a key of what characteristic
from the text they feel they identify with. After creating their key they will have the
option to get feedback from their peers before completing the final copy. With the final
copy they must have their key, the key must be decorated and exemplify their identity,
the students will have a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) on their identity and how they
portray that specific point of character development. Lastly, the lesson will finish with
the students sharing their artwork through a gallery walk.
Key Concepts
1. Visual Art: 3. Reading
Students will practice listening to the text
Students will understand the themes Henri
Matisse uses in his artwork Students will practice making connections

Students will learn how to focus on their within the text and their lives
character development through expressing 4. Writing

their identity Students will practice writing sentences,

Students will learn how to design, create, and forming paragraphs

and cutout a key 5. Identity

2. Literacy: Students will practice and learn more

Students will learn and practice how to about their own identity
Students will learn about their peers
write complete sentences
Students will learn and practice how to identity
write a paragraph
Students will learn how to make
connections with the real world and
themselves
Essential Questions
.
What is a characteristic?
How do characteristics define your
identity?
How can you be a better you in
our community?
Why is it important to reflect on
your identity?
Gaining Attention
The opening activity will be a classroom
discussion over what are some ways to
be a better person in your community.
The teacher will ask the students to
think of a role model they have in their
life that they look up to, have good
qualities, etc. After asking who that
person is we will extend into what
makes them have these good qualities,
and what are some of those qualities?
Discussing identity and the importance
of using their positive qualities will help
the students get in the mindset for the
key lesson.
Day One and Two
Introduce the Discuss with students
lesson by which key they feel
best fits with their
discussing identity
identity Write sentences and
Look up Henri start forming
Matisse and his paragraph
works of art Start on designing key
Read text
Day Three
Complete key
Compare and peer talk in groups

Make changes if needed

Gallery walk

Teacher collects for grading

Extension
Students will be asked to look at an
assortment of keys, this will give them
more knowledge on what makes up a
key. The different marks and divots
allow for something to be opened,
making up ones own (similar to
identity).
Assessments
Formative
Students will present their key
to their table classmates (in
pods), allowing them to revise
and assess themselves on their
project. The tablemates will
help with brainstorming ideas,
understanding what their peers
are writing, and giving positive
feedback to help each student.
Summative
The summative assessment
will include the teacher
evaluating the students on
their writing, understanding
of what identity is and having
all parts present. This must
include the gallery walk, the
completed key, and a final
draft paragraph.