ELA UNIT 1 • LESSON 1
Who We Are
Identity, Place & Story
Grades 7–9 English Language Arts
August 31, 2026
ELA • LESSON 1
Our question for this unit
02
How do the people, places, languages and experiences around us help shape who we are?
ELA • LESSON 1
Share and listen respectfully
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Learning intention
I can share something about myself and listen respectfully to others.
I will know I am successful when I can…
• choose one safe idea to share
• add ideas to an identity web
• give my full attention when someone speaks
ELA • LESSON 1
Your identity belongs to you
04
Choose
Share only what feels safe and comfortable.
Pass
You may skip a question or choose a different idea.
Protect privacy
Family matters, trauma, and private knowledge stay private.
Show respect
Listen without teasing, judging, or pressuring.
ELA • LESSON 1
Many parts shape identity
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People
family, friends, teachers, community
Places
home, land, school, places that matter
Languages
languages we speak, hear, learn, or value
Interests
music, sports, art, games, making, reading
Strengths
skills, qualities, and ways we help
Experiences
events and learning that have shaped us
ELA • LESSON 1
A teacher identity web can start like this
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MRS.
ANNABLE
People
Kate, family, Whiskey
Places
Délı̨nę and Red Deer
Languages
English
Interests
beadwork, technology, reading, 80s music
Strengths
curious, persistent, caring
Experiences
teaching, learning, parenting
ELA • LESSON 1
Choose a safe idea to share
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You might begin with…
a person or group that supports you
a place where you feel connected
a language you speak, hear, or want to learn
an interest that gives you energy
a strength you use at school or outside school
an experience that taught you something
A real idea, an imagined safe example, or a private placeholder are all okay.
ELA • LESSON 1
Build your identity web in three steps
08
1
Choose
Pick safe categories and ideas.
2
Add
Use words, pictures, or short phrases.
3
Check
Keep, change, or remove anything before sharing.
ELA • LESSON 1
Respect makes sharing possible
09
When you are speaking
• choose one safe detail
• speak, point, show, or read
• say “pass” if you change your mind
When you are listening
• face the speaker if comfortable
• do not interrupt or tease
• respond: “I noticed…” or “Thank you for sharing.”
Two short turns. The listener does not ask for more private information.
ELA • LESSON 1
Different pathways, one big idea
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Everyone will create an identity web and communicate something about who they are.
Find
your colour folder and materials
Follow
the directions for your pathway
Ask
for support when you need it
GROUP WORK • PART 1
Your colour-folder directions
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BLUE
Choose or draw 4 identity pictures.
Name each idea aloud.
Finish: “I am ___. I like ___.”
GREEN
Make a 5-part identity web.
Write 3 supported sentences.
Check capitals and end punctuation.
ORANGE
Make a 6-part identity web.
Write one 4–5 sentence paragraph.
Underline the sentence that best shows identity.
Use the word bank, organizer, pictures, or oral rehearsal in your folder.
GROUP WORK • PART 2
Your colour-folder directions
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YELLOW
PURPLE
Write a focused paragraph of 5–7 sentences.
Explain two influences on your identity.
Use because and also to connect ideas.
Write 2 connected paragraphs.
Paragraph 1: Who am I?
Paragraph 2: One important influence
Include one specific example.
GROUP WORK • PART 3
Your colour-folder directions
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TEAL
RED
Write a well-organized reflection of 2–3 paragraphs.
Develop one clear central idea.
Vary your sentence beginnings and lengths.
Write a concise identity reflection.
Develop one controlling idea.
Consider how identity may change in different places or situations.
ELA • LESSON 1
Show what you can do today
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Independent response
Choose one safe idea from your identity web. Write as much as you can on your own using the support in your folder.
This is a starting point—not a test of perfect spelling or handwriting.
You may begin with…
I am…
One thing that shapes me is…
A place that matters to me is…
This matters because…
ELA • LESSON 1
One small piece of evidence
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Choose one
One part of identity is…
I listened respectfully by…
Where we are going
My Place,
My Story
Over this unit, you will create a personal or place-based story in a written, visual, oral, or multimodal form.