Synopsis: In this unit, students will learn about identity and explore their own identities through a series of literacy-based lessons in order to answer the question: How can our identities shape our lives? Front Desk will be the text used throughout these lessons. This will allow for students to engage with 5th grade literacy standards, but also lend itself to conversations and activities about identity. Students learn about identity and other concepts that intertwine with identity from a fiction text. This learning will then be applied to students exploring their own identities and experiences. Questions about identity are embedded throughout the unit in order to spark interest, engagement, and reflection on the part of students. Conversations drive most lessons forward, and encourage students to question their beliefs as well as events taking place in the world today. These content areas are integrated throughout the unit with one overarching goal – to encourage students to critically examine how identity shapes our lives including our relationships, our choices, and the way we think and act.