The aim of this paper is to describe the process of designing and implementing a teaching unit that links a curricular subject -- in this case, Spanish language -- with the identity of students as a strategy aimed at improving engagement and learning. The teaching unit was implemented in a Shared Education Unit in Catalonia (Spain) for at-risk students. The design of the teaching unit was based on the theoretical approaches of the funds of identity and proposals made by Cummins, which integrate the identity of students into educational practices as a way of reaffirming and empowering those students. We shall describe the funds of identity uncovered, the implementation of the teaching unit and the evaluation of the educational activity by participants. In general, the participating students gave a positive evaluation of the activity, emphasizing its motivating character since it stemmed from their own hobbies and interests, in particular the manipulative arts.