Timshel! Thou mayest! is the big idea in a lesson that reminds learners that they have choices about how they present themselves to others. To begin, individuals rate the degree to which the choices they make each morning are influenced by what others may think. Groups are then given different photographs and list the labels or assumptions someone might make about the person in the picture. Finally, individuals examine their online profile and consider the impact of choices they have made about what to share or not share.

Concepts

identity, social-emotional learning, online communication, stereotypes, making decisions, responsible decision-making

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask class members to create an Identity Box decorated on the outside with symbols, labels, and images that reflect how others see them while the inside of the box includes images, terms, and symbols that represent how they see themselves

Classroom Considerations

• Lesson four of six in the "Exploring Identity in the United States" unit, which is designed to be taught in order

Pros

• The lesson asks learners to consider the degree to which the opinion of others influences their choices

Cons

• None