Activity Overview
Novels and poetry often have a variety of symbols and motifs throughout that students can identify and analyze. Symbolism is when an object or situation is more than it appears on the surface. The author is using it to represent something deeper and more meaningful. Motifs are a technique employed by the author whereby they repeat a certain element more than once throughout the course of the story. This element has symbolic significance and is meant to draw the reader's attention and illuminate a deeper meaning to the story as it is repeated. Any literary elements can be conveyed through characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination.
In this activity, students will identify symbols and motifs in The Poet X and illustrate examples from the text. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given one or more element to track throughout their reading. Then, they'll create a spider map illustrating what they found! Teachers may ask students to illustrate multiple examples of a single theme, symbol, or motif, or illustrate one example for each.
Examples of The Poet X Symbols and Motifs
- Xiomara's poetry notebook
- Mami's scarred knuckles
- Xiomara's baby bracelet
- Apples
- Music
- The smoke park
- The subway
- The poet's cafe
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring symbols, or motifs found in the story. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Identify the symbols or motifs from the story that you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
- Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples in the text box.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified symbols. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified symbols. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified symbols. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the symbols but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols. |
How To Use a Spider Map to Aid Student Learning about Symbols
Discuss Symbols in The Poet X
Assist students in their understanding of symbols by leading a full class discussion on the topic. Discuss a popular symbol such as Xiomara's notebook or Mami's scarred knuckles. Explain the literal meaning (what it really is) and the figurative meaning (what it represents.)
Aid Students in Finding Deeper Meaning
Students will often need scaffolding as they find and analyze symbols. Help them to use the context of setting, characters, and dialogue to make meaning of the symbols.
Create a Spider Map
Lead students in the creation of a spider map so that they can find specific examples from the text and match them to illustrations that analyze symbols and motifs more fully.
Frequently Asked Questions about Symbols and Motifs in The Poet X
How can students best understand the meaning of symbols?
Students can analyze the elements of plot, characterization, dialogue, etc. in order to understand the meaning behind a symbol. A symbol is an object that is more than just what meets the eye, and finding symbols requires students to look at a variety of elements in the story to find the deeper meaning.
What is the relationship between symbols and motifs?
A symbol is an object that represents something beyond itself, while a motif is the repetition of a symbol multiple times in a text. They both show the deeper meaning of an object as it relates to the plot line and especially the theme.
Why do authors utilize symbols?
Authors like to dig deep to make meaning with their words. By utilizing symbols, they ask the reader to buy into analyzing and thinking more deeply about the story, the characters and their motivations, and the theme.
More Storyboard That Activities
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