Identity Layers

LEVEL: ADVANCED

Why:

Self-awareness is the foundation for our growth, and can be developed with practice.

Warm-Up:

What is one thing that people assume about you the moment they see you?

Exploration:

Imagine the layers of rocks in a canyon (see image above). The top layer is the most recent, with fresh dirt and new growth. The deeper you go, the older the rock gets, until you reach solid bedrock. Humans are like this too. Imagine 3 layers of your identity. The top is the surface — the identity you show based on how you look or act. The next layer is deeper, what you show to your closer friends. The deepest layer is your core truth — what you know about yourself even if others can’t see it. What’s in each layer for you?.

Additional Resources:

Argonaut Identity Layers Template

See this link for a Google Slides template for students to explore this topic. After the topic is introduced, students can work with this template (either printed out or by making a copy of it and then inviting students to edit the new Google Slides link). Sometimes, by having some quiet time to reflect and write, students will go deeper and then have something to reference in giving a full, more authentic answer to the group. Try to model this by having your own Identity Layers chart ready to share before they do theirs.