Identity Box Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Identity Box Project
Exploring Public Selves and Protected Realities
Target Grades: 7-12
Duration: 3-4 Sessions
Subject: SEL / Advisory / ELA
Project Vision
The Identity Box is a highly reflective project where students construct a physical or digital box. The exterior displays aspects of their identity they readily share with the public (hobbies, social roles, visible traits). The interior holds symbols of their protected self (core values, vulnerabilities, dreams, hidden struggles). This dual-nature exploration builds self-awareness and deepens peer empathy.
Materials List
Shoeboxes or small containers
Magazines, prints, stickers
Glue, scissors, paints, clay
Private reflection journals
Learning Objectives
Analyze Duality Differentiate between public persona and private core identity through structured introspection.
Symbolic Representation Translate abstract personal values, emotions, and experiences into concrete, physical symbols.
Cultivate Empathy Develop active listening skills and mutual vulnerability during optional, structured peer sharing.
Project Pacing Guide
Session 1
Introduction & Duality Brainstorming (45-60 min)
Establish a safe environment. Define "public vs. private" boundaries. Complete the Identity Box Project Guide brainstorming sections. Students list 5 public traits and 5 private values.
Session 2
Box Construction: The Public Exterior (45-60 min)
Students construct the outside of their boxes using collages, markers, and paint. Focus on social roles, hobbies, physical traits, and aspects of their identity they showcase to navigate daily life.
Session 3
Box Construction: The Protected Interior (45-60 min)
A quiet, reflective session. Students build the interior. They place hidden symbols, written secrets, private memories, and core values inside. Emphasize that they have total agency over who looks inside.
The Identity Box Project • Lesson Plan Page 1 of 2
Facilitation Guide
Safety & Reflections
Guiding Vulnerability with Intentional Boundaries
Teacher Resource
Deep Dive Discussion
Assessment Strategy
Absolute Agency: Establishing a Psychological Safe Haven
The core of this project is safety. Never force students to present the inside of their boxes. Clearly communicate that the interior is 100% private unless they choose to share it. When assessing, grade the depth of written reflections on their worksheet, never the level of personal exposure or details revealed within their actual physical box.
Reflection & Socratic Discussion Prompts
On the Public Self "Why is having a 'public self' functional or necessary in daily life? How does it protect us, and when does it feel exhausting?"
On the Protected Self "What makes some values or memories too precious or sensitive to display openly? How do we decide who gets to look inside?"
On Group Empathy "How does realizing that everyone has a protected, invisible inner world change the way we look at our classmates?"
On Personal Growth "Have you ever had an aspect of your protected inner self gradually move to the outside? What caused that change?"
Project Grading Framework (Out of 20 Points)
Criteria Exceptional (5 pts) Proficient (4 pts) Developing (2-3 pts) Concept Duality Clear contrast between public outside and protected inside. Contrasting elements are present but lack sharp thematic connection. Little distinction shown between outside and inside. Symbolic Effort Rich symbolic objects or art; thoughtful textures/layouts. Symbols are present and logical but rely on cliché representations. Minimal decoration, rushed appearance, low effort. Written Reflection Extremely deep analysis, connects symbols to lived experience. Answers all reflection questions thoughtfully. Brief, surface-level responses with minimal detail. Process & Respect Fully engaged, highly respectful of others' privacy and boundaries. Respectful participant, worked productively in class. Distracted, or showed poor regard for physical/peer boundaries.
The Identity Box Project • Facilitation Guide Page 2 of 2
Identity Box Slides Art & Self-Discovery
The Identity Box Project
Exploring the external selves we share with the world versus the internal realities we keep protected.
Creative SEL Reflection
Slide 1 / 5
The Dual Self Slide 2 / 5
Who Are You in different spaces?
Every human has layers. We change how we present ourselves depending on where we are, who we're with, and how safe we feel.
This project challenges you to visually represent these two distinct worlds using a single, physical box.
The Public Exterior
What you deliberately display, say, and exhibit to the outside world.
The Protected Interior
What you guard, nurture, and only share with those who earn your deep trust.
"We are all books with chapters that have never been read aloud."
Layer 1 Slide 3 / 5
The Box Exterior:
What is Seen
The outside of your box represents your public self. This is your social identity—the things you feel completely comfortable talking about in class, posting on social media, or sharing with new acquaintances.
Hobbies, sports, & creative interests
Daily clothing style & aesthetic choices
Your cultural heritage or social roles
Favorite music, books, movies, & games
Design Prompt
Expressive Collage
Use bold images, text clippings, bright colors, and dynamic layouts on the box surfaces. This represents your dynamic outward-facing presence.
Think: What stories do my clothes or choices tell?
Suggested tools: Magazines, stickers, markers, paint, and personal prints.
Layer 2 Slide 4 / 5
Design Prompt
Protected Reliquary
Use physical models, personal letters, textures (like soft felt or rough string), closed pouches, and symbolic objects that rest inside.
Think: What values guide me when nobody is looking?
The Box Interior:
What is Protected
The inside of your box is a sacred space. It is designed to hold your vulnerable side—things that require trust, quiet self-reflection, and protection to exist safely.
Core beliefs, values, & spiritual views
Protected fears, insecurities, & hurts
Unspoken hopes, big dreams, & secrets
Memories of those who truly shaped you
Tip: You can use symbolic representations (like a key for protection, a stone for grief, or a sparkler for a dream).
Respect & Guidelines Slide 5 / 5
Identity Box Project Guide Name:
Date:
Student Worksheet
The Identity Box: Brainstorming
This project challenges you to design a physical box with a clear duality: the exterior depicts how you navigate the outer world, while the interior protects your deep personal values and sacred experiences. Fill out this planning sheet to prepare your design!
1
The Public Exterior: What is Seen?
Think about the interests, visual aesthetics, cultural groups, roles, and traits that you comfortably share with acquaintances. Write down 4 distinct aspects of your public self and what images/words you will use to represent them.
Public Identity Aspect (e.g., Sports, Music, Ethnicity) Visual Representation (e.g., Nike logo, guitar clippings) 1. 2. 3. 4.
2
The Protected Interior: What is Safeguarded?
Think about your private world: core values, fears, memories, hopes, and struggles. Remember: you have complete control over this and never have to display the interior to the class. Write 4 items and their symbols.
Protected Inner Element (e.g., A core fear, a big goal, family) Symbolic Representation (e.g., Cloud drawing, a golden key) 1. 2. 3. 4.
The Identity Box Project • Brainstorming Sheet Page 1 of 2
Name:
Date:
Student Blueprint
Box Layout & Blueprint
Use the grid workspace below to design a visual roadmap of your physical box. Write brief descriptions of what colors, materials, text, or objects will be attached to each section of your box layout.
Outer Lid & Sides Planning
Top Lid (Main Visual):
Front & Back Panels (Collage Focus):
Left & Right Sides (Colors / Details):
Inner Chamber Planning
Base Layer (Texture, Color, Paper style):
Protected Symbols / Written Work (Placement):
Lid Interior (Message / Reflection aspect):
Craft & Symbolic Materials Checklist
Identify what resources you need to gather. (Example: "cardboard box, shoebox, printouts, dried leaf, yarn, stickers")
Identity Box Reflection Worksheet Name:
Date:
Reflection Log
Inside Out: Personal Reflection
The physical box you constructed tells an important story about boundaries, selfhood, and expression. Use this reflection sheet to analyze your creation. Note: Your responses here will be graded, not the level of personal exposure in your box. Feel free to keep specific secrets private.
Question 1: The Outward Showcase
Why did you choose the specific colors, words, images, or designs on the outside of your box? How do these representations align with the public role you play or the identity you comfortably display in daily life?
Question 2: The Sacred Inner Sanctum
Without revealing any specific secrets or memories you wish to keep fully confidential, discuss the themes or symbolic meanings behind the objects/text inside your box. What makes these parts of you too sensitive or precious to share openly?
The Identity Box Project • Reflection Log Page 1 of 2
Name:
Date:
Reflection Log
Duality & Empathy
This second phase of reflection looks beyond your physical box to explore how we interact with each other. Use these questions to connect your personal experience to our class community.
Question 3: The Weight of Duality
Is it difficult to balance your public self with your private self? Describe a moment or situation in your life where there was a major contrast between what you felt inside and what you showed to others. How did that feel?
Question 4: Recognizing Invisible Worlds
Realizing that every classmate around you has their own "protected inside" filled with hidden thoughts, values, struggles, and dreams: how does this realization affect the way you treat other people on a daily basis?
The Identity Box Project • Reflection Log Page 2 of 2
