English 11 · Week 1 · Foundations of the American Voice
The American Story and My Story
Personal narrative about where students fit in the American story.
- Students will
- Students write a personal narrative exploring where they fit in the American story.
- SEL skill
- Name a value or feeling that shapes a belonging story
- What it looks like
- Students reflect on identity and belonging with pride.
- Content focus
- Personal narrative and national identity
- Format
- Think write pair share
Self-awareness
Self-awareness means noticing your own emotions, thoughts, values, and strengths and seeing how they shape what you do. More self-awareness activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- W.11-12.3: Writing, Grades 11 to 12, Standard 3
- CA ELD standards: ELD.PI.11-12.10 Writing; ELD.PII.11-12.5 Modifying to add details
- CA ELA/ELD Framework theme: Effective Expression
- Works with: Writing
- Popular books named: The House on Mango Street, Born a Crime
Fits these textbook chapters
- StudySync Grade 11, Unit 1: We the People
- myPerspectives English Language Arts Grade 11, Unit 6: Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Tales
- HMH Collections Grade 11, Collection 1: Coming to America
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More self-awareness activities for English 11
- Transcendentalism and Self Reliance Self-awarenessSelf-reliance and the balance between independence and community.
- Dialect and Identity Self-awarenessHow dialect expresses identity and challenges language bias.
- The Harlem Renaissance Self-awarenessPoetry of pride, pain, and joy in the Harlem Renaissance.
- Semester Reflection Self-awarenessReflective letter on growth and goals.
Next: Foundations of American Voice
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.