What: The post-millennial generation, or “Gen Z,” is the most racially diverse generation in U.S. history. According to a Pew Research analysis of Census data, this generation, born between 1997 and 2012, is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, with 48% identifying as people of color. In early 2019, The New York Times did a call-out asking Gen Zers to respond to the question, “What makes you different from your friends?” and asked them to identify themselves however they wanted and to send a self-portrait. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about Gen Z, reflect on their identities in order to create self-portraits/quotes that represent themselves and reflect on images and quotes by a wide diversity of this generation.
Learning objectives:
- Students will explore the value of diversity while analyzing the demographics of members of Gen Z and their diversity.
- Students will consider their own identities and create self-portraits and quotes that represent their unique identities.
- Students will reflect on Gen Z self-portraits and quotes collected by The New York Times.
Target grade level: Grades 9-12
