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New
What does identity mean?
I can explain what identity means and why people have different identities.
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 7
What does identity mean?
I can explain what identity means and why people have different identities.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Identity is made up of who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others.
- We all have characteristics which help to identify us.
- We get our personal identities from both nature and nurture.
- People can have multiple identities because they can belong to different groups at the same time.
Keywords
Identity - who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others
Characteristic - a feature or quality belonging typically to a person in order to identify them
Nature - the things you are born with, your biological background, traits and abilities which come from your genes
Nurture - the environment and experiences that shape you after you are born
Common misconception
Some people believe that you can only have one identity.
People can have multiple identities because they can belong to different groups at the same time.
Make this lesson more relatable by exploring what makes up pupils' own identities or those of famous celebrities more relevant to your pupils.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A community involves more than person.
A community involves more than person.
Q2.If a person is an active citizen they want to see happen.
If a person is an active citizen they want to see happen.
colours
choices
challenges
Q3.Who do we inherit our eye colour from?
Who do we inherit our eye colour from?
our friends
our children
our community
Q4.Match the word to the definition.
Match the word to the definition.
Q5.What can we expect to learn about in citizenship?
What can we expect to learn about in citizenship?
puberty
friendships
Q6.What can we not change?
What can we not change?
our fashion sense
our friendship groups
our house
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which question summarises identity?
Which question summarises identity?
Where am I?
How did I get here?
Q2.Which of the following is true about identity?
Which of the following is true about identity?
Everyone can have the same identity.
People can share identical identities with family members.
Identity is always determined by appearance.
Q3.Which of the two ways in which we form our identity change over time? Choose between nature and nurture.
Which of the two ways in which we form our identity change over time? Choose between nature and nurture.
Q4.Match the word to the correct definition.
Match the word to the correct definition.
Q5.What is it called when we have more than one identity?
What is it called when we have more than one identity?
several identities
characteristics
