Activity Overview
Symbols come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify a symbol or motif from the novel and design an image or scene as illustration. Below the square, they should explain their scene’s significance. The example storyboard discusses the symbolism behind Catherine’s caged birds. Other symbols and motifs include the following:
Symbols
- Catherine’s Journal
- Embroidery
- Granny’s Cottage
- The Bird Pin from Stephen
Motifs
- Saints and Religion
- Writing and Drawing
Catherine, Called Birdy Symbol Square
The Caged Birds
The caged birds in Catherine's room represent Catherine herself. Catherine's nickname "Birdy" or "Little Bird" emphasizes this connection. Like the birds, Catherine feels trapped, unable to escape the life that is forced upon her. At the end of the book, Birdy frees all her birds except the popinjay which cannot survive on its own. She recognizes that she is most like the popinjay; she needs her friends and family to survive and cannot simply run away from her life.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies and explains one symbol from the text.
- Type in the symbol in the title box.
- Illustrate an example of the symbol.
- In the description box, describe the importance of the symbol.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme, Symbol, or Motif | The idea or object is correctly identified as an important theme, symbol, or motif in the story. | The idea or object is correctly identified as important, but is mislabeled as theme, symbol, or motif. | The idea or object is not significant to the story. |
| Example and Description | The example supports the identified theme, symbol, or motif. Description clearly says why example is significant. | Most examples fit the identified theme, symbol, or motif. Description lacks significance to story. | Example does not fit the identified theme, symbol, or motif. Descriptions is unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cell clearly shows connection with the theme, symbol, or motif and helps with understanding. | Storyboard cell shows the theme, symbol, or motif, but some part is difficult to understand. | Storyboard cell does not help in understanding the theme, symbol, or motif. |
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Catherine, Called Birdy
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