I am… Lesson Plans

Designed for students from grades nine to twelve, the I am… Lesson Plans supports high school educators, administrators, students and communities to challenge systems of inequity and exclusion, to foster a sense of equity and inclusion that affirms every student’s sense of well-being and belonging. This resource provides lesson plans from which teachers can engage their students using a cross section of short films from the i am… Digital Storytelling Research Project that explore various aspects of identity, from often marginalized voices. The films make up a tapestry of personal stories that examine the challenges of identity and belonging in Canada today, and provide a teaching resource with transformative possibilities.

Secondary school teachers may explore the topics and focus to determine which lessons are most suitable for their purposes.

• Teachers of English language learners and English courses will find most of the lessons in this guide useful.
  The early lessons in this guide, Unit 1: Who Am I? are more accessible for ELL courses and the Intermediate-level secondary English courses.
• Arts teachers will find that the early lessons may be a suitable catalyst for the production of creative work. In addition, Unit 2, Lesson 6: Home culture and peer culture provides an engaging way to encourage self-expression in an arts class.
• Grade 9 Geography teachers may find that the exploration of Unit 1, Culture and traditions complements their work in the classroom.
• Social Science teachers will find that the lessons with a focus on stereotypes, discrimination and racism in the Unit 2: How Am I Seen? section will engage and challenge their students.

The dedicated project page can be found on the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration (CERC Migration) on the Toronto Metropolitan University site, includes links to all the I am resources (lesson plans and films) along with the library of films and more information.

i am… Lesson Plan flyer