https://sbt-www-us-east-v3.azurewebsites.net/lesson-plans/separate-peace-by-john-knowles/theme-symbol-motif
Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Rubric
Activity Overview
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the novel, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes and Imagery to Look For and Discuss
- War
- Identity
- Nonconformity
- Friendship
- Escape from Reality
Motifs & Symbols
- The Tree and the Marble Stairs
- Blitzball
- Winter Carnival
- Finny’s Leg
Template and Class Instructions
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
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write "Themes, Symbols, and Motifs" in the center header box.
- Identify the themes, symbols, and motifs that you wish to include and type them in the title boxes.
- Write a description for each in the description boxes.
- Create an image for each example using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Common Core Standards
Switch to: Common Core
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
- CCSS: RL.9-10.3 - Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- CCSS: RL.9-10.5 - Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
- CCSS: SL.9-10.2 - Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source
Rubric
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, and/or motifs in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Identify Symbol(s) | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Identify Motif(s) | All motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incorrect. | No motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes, symbols, and motifs and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, symbols, and motifs, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes, symbols, and motifs. |
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes and symbols from the novel, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes and Imagery to Look For and Discuss
- War
- Identity
- Nonconformity
- Friendship
- Escape from Reality
Motifs & Symbols
- The Tree and the Marble Stairs
- Blitzball
- Winter Carnival
- Finny’s Leg
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
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write "Themes, Symbols, and Motifs" in the center header box.
- Identify the themes, symbols, and motifs that you wish to include and type them in the title boxes.
- Write a description for each in the description boxes.
- Create an image for each example using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Common Core Standards
Switch to: Common Core
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
- CCSS: RL.9-10.3 - Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- CCSS: RL.9-10.5 - Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
- CCSS: SL.9-10.2 - Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, and/or motifs in the story. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. | Some themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or do not make sense with the story. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Identify Symbol(s) | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Identify Motif(s) | All motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incorrect. | No motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified themes, symbols, and motifs. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the themes, symbols, and motifs and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the themes, symbols, and motifs, but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the themes, symbols, and motifs. |
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StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
