Mirror Check Roadmap Mirror Check
Lesson Roadmap
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will identify and articulate at least two personal identity facets and explain how their self-perception guides choices they make at school.
Why This Matters
Developing self-awareness helps students recognize how internal beliefs shape decisions and builds a foundation for trustworthiness and authentic behavior in school and beyond.
Fast Facts
Audience
7th & 8th Grade
Approach
Interactive warm-up, mini-lesson, reflection, peer exchange.
Materials
Seeing the Real You Slides
Identity Snapshot Sheet
Facilitator Script
Name Emoji Match Warm-Up
Preparation (10 minutes)
Print Identity Snapshot Sheets for each student.
Queue up slide deck and test A/V.
Review Facilitator Script for timing.
Prepare emoji cards for Name Emoji Match.
Lesson Flow
1
Warm-Up & Identity Poll
5 MIN
Distribute emoji cards; students pick one representing their mood/personality.
Name Emoji Match: Students share name and emoji with a partner.Identity Poll: Quick poll on words like "creative," "athlete," "musical."
2
Mini-Lesson on Self-Concept
5 MIN
Present Seeing the Real You slides 1–5.
Define internal vs. external cues and self-concept.
Check comprehension by having students restate definitions in their own words.
3
Guided Reflection
10 MIN
Hand out Identity Snapshot Sheet .
Students list two identity facets (roles, traits, interests).
Students write how each facet influenced a recent school choice (e.g., "I am ___, so I chose to ___").
4
Pair-Share: Identity & Choices
5 MIN
Students take turns sharing facets and decision examples. Listeners ask one follow-up question.
5
Group Debrief & Trustworthiness
5 MIN
Connect self-awareness to authentic choices and trust. End with a silent reflection on one action to stay true to themselves.
Seeing the Real You Slides Seeing the Real You
Discovering how knowing ourselves leads to honest and authentic choices.
Today's Objective
"Identify and articulate at least two facets of your identity and explain how they influence your choices at school."
Mirror Check Lesson
What Is Identity?
The unique combination of characteristics, roles, and traits that make you who you are .
Roles
Student, sibling, teammate, friend, mentor.
Traits
Creative, curious, resilient, kind, honest.
Interests
Writing, coding, sports, music, gaming.
Internal vs. External
Internal Cues
Thoughts & feelings
Personal beliefs
Core values
What you think when no one is watching
External Cues
Appearance & clothes
Assigned labels & roles
Groups you belong to
What others see and name
Understanding Self-Concept
"Your mental image of yourself—how you think, feel, and talk about who you are."
Directly influences your school choices
Grows and changes as you learn
Connects your beliefs to your actions
Reflection: Identity & Choices
Grab your Identity Snapshot Sheet and complete these steps:
Step 1
List two important aspects of who you are (traits, roles, or interests).
Step 2
Complete the sentence for each:"I am ___, so I chose to ___."
Facilitator Script Identity Ice-Breaker Teacher Resource
Identity Ice-Breaker Script
Instructional prompts for the Mirror Check lesson
5 MIN
Part 1: Warm-Up & Identity Poll
Teacher Prompt:
“Good morning, everyone! Let’s start our Mirror Check lesson with a fun warm-up. In front of you are emoji cards. Pick the one that best represents your mood or personality today. Ready? Go!”
Circulate through the room as students select their emojis. Ensure everyone has made a selection before moving to the next step.
Teacher Prompt:
“Now, turn to a partner. Share your name and the emoji you chose. Tell your partner why you picked that emoji. You have two minutes—go!”
Identity Poll Activity
“Great! Let’s come back together. I’m going to name five identity words. When you hear one that resonates with you, raise your hand. The words are: creative... athlete... musical... curious... leader. Thank you!”
5 MIN
Part 2: Mini-Lesson on Self-Concept
Slide 1-2 Instruction
“Please open our slide deck on the board. We’ll review slides 1–5 to learn key ideas about identity.”
“Slide 2: Identity is the unique combination of characteristics, roles, and traits that make you who you are. Turn to your elbow partner and share one word that comes to mind when you hear ‘identity.’ Who would like to share?”
Slide 3-4 Instruction
“Slide 3: Internal cues include thoughts, feelings, beliefs. External cues include appearance, labels, and roles. Who can give me another example of an internal cue? How about an external cue?”
“Slide 4: Self-concept is your mental image of yourself. Who would like to describe their self-concept in their own words?”
20 MIN
Part 3: Reflection & Pair-Share
Reflection Instruction (10 Min):
“Take out your Identity Snapshot Sheet. List two aspects of who you are. Then, complete the sentence: ‘I am ___, so I chose to ___.’ For example, ‘I am curious, so I chose to join the science club.’ Begin now.”
Pair-Share Instruction (5 Min):
“Partner A, share your two identity facets. Partner B, listen and ask one follow-up question—like ‘Why did that aspect influence your decision?’ Then switch roles. Go!”
Final Debrief (5 Min)
“Who would like to volunteer one insight they heard from their partner?”
“How does being honest about who we are relate to being trustworthy?”
“When we act authentically, others know they can trust us. Silently reflect on one action you’ll take this week to stay true to yourself.”
Identity Snapshot Sheet Identity Snapshot
Explore who you are and how your self-perception guides the decisions you make every day at school.
Student Name
Date
How to complete this sheet:
Identify two facets of your identity (roles you play, traits you have, or things you love).
Explain how each facet influenced a specific choice you made at school recently.
1
Identity Facet #1
My Role, Trait, or Interest:
How it guided my decision at school:
I am ,
2
Identity Facet #2
My Role, Trait, or Interest:
How it guided my decision at school:
I am ,
My Honest Action Plan
What is one specific action you will take this week to stay true to yourself and act with honesty at school?
Name Emoji Match Warm Up Interactive Warm-Up
Name Emoji Match
5-6 Minutes
Purpose
Help students break the ice, express their mood or personality through visual cues, and practice authentic sharing in pairs.
Materials Needed
Set of 10-15 distinct emoji cards
Projector/Screen (optional)
Blank cards for custom drawings
1
Prepare Cards
Before class starts, print or display a variety of emojis (happy face, thinking face, star, lightning bolt, etc.). Cut them into individual cards or have them ready on a slide.
2
Distribute & Choose
Lay out cards face up. Ask each student to pick the one that best represents their mood or personality today. Offer blank cards for students who want to draw their own.
3
Pair & Share
Have students find a partner and use the following frame:
"My name is __________, and I chose this emoji because __________."
Tip: Encourage partners to ask: "What part of your personality does this show?"
4
Brief Debrief
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their choice. Highlight how different choices reflect unique aspects of identity and current mood, leading into the main lesson.
Differentiation & Tips
Language Support
Allow English learners to respond in their first language or use simplified frames: "I am ___, and I feel ___."
Fast Finishers
Ask them to find a second partner and repeat the sharing process to build more connections.
