First graders have been engaging in a study on complex identities. We have been exploring questions such as:

• Who am I?

• What makes me, me?

• How do I see myself?

• How do others see me?

This important work gives us an opportunity to build community as we learn about ourselves and each other. We began our study by sharing individual name stories. We learned that names are an important aspect of identity around the world. Each student revealed the significance behind his or her first name, middle name or Hebrew name.

Then, we used loose parts and recycled materials to build the name we shared. This provided a great connection to our work in literacy, as we have been looking at letter formation and handwriting. We took photos of each name and will display them on a large board highlighting the many unique aspects of one’s identity.