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No Place For Hate: Identity Activities

The first theme of the No Place for Hate curriculum focused on identity – the building blocks of who we are. By understanding ourselves better, we can better understand and appreciate others in our school community. Elementary and middle school students explored their own identities through engaging activities that encouraged self-reflection, storytelling, and creative expression.

Here you'll find age-appropriate activities designed to help our students explore identity in meaningful ways. Each activity created safe spaces for honest conversations and personal growth.

Identity Iceberg

The Identity Iceberg metaphor by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) helps people understand the complexity and depth of individual identity. Here are some key points that illustrate its areas of focus:

  • Visible Traits (Above the Waterline):

    • Physical characteristics: race, age, gender, ability, appearance.
    • Observable behaviors: language, clothing, customs, hobbies.
    • Social categories: occupation, religion, nationality, etc.
  • Invisible Traits (Below the Waterline):

    • Beliefs and values: personal philosophies, ethical viewpoints, spirituality.
    • Experiences: upbringing, personal history, life events.
    • Identity influences: cultural heritage, family dynamics, community background.
    • Emotional identity: fears, motivations, desires, personal struggles.

Students learned that in order to understand each other better, we must all take the time to go below the waterline to get to know someone better.

Heart Map

Students in the elementary schools will explore who they are using Identity Portraits or Heart Maps to allow them to reflect on the importance of learning and celebrating each others' differences.

Through a Heart Map, for example, students can use words, pictures or both to articulate people places and things that they hold close to their heart.

Our Unique Profiles

Students at Saugatuck Elementary School created silhouettes of their profiles by thinking about the features that make them who they are (nose, mouth, chin, hats, hair, glasses, bows, etc.). Inside the silhouettes you will find some of the things that were meaningful to each student. The students noticed the many similarities and differences across the school and celebrated both. They talked about the foods they eat, sports they play, family members they have, animals they love, countries they're from, holidays they celebrate, languages they speak, games they play and more. They drew their favorite things, added details and experimented with water colors to fill the background space and finish their work to create a multi-colored display.