Activity Overview
Objects come to symbolize different things in various contexts, and understanding symbolism is vital to a greater appreciation of literature and culture. Many students can recognize that something is associated with Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hannukah, but they may not understand why. This activity can give students a good foundation on symbols and symbolism, or it can be used as a focus on winter holidays. Give students a list of symbols for all holidays, or let them select symbols on their own.
The example uses the grid layout, but the spider map, traditional storyboard, and T-chart would work as well. Students should name the symbol in the title box, make a visual representation in the storyboard cell, and then explain what the symbol represents in the description box; or, as in the example, name and depict the symbol, then make visualizations!
There are many symbols for Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanzaa! Here are only a handful:
| Christmas | Kwanzaa | Hannukah |
| Santa Claus | Kinara | Menorah |
| Christmas Tree | Unity Cup | Dreidel |
| Red/green/white | Red/green/black | Blue/white |
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 the symbols in left column headings./li>
- Write "Meaning" and "Example" in other column headings.
- Create visual representations of each symbol, meaning, and example using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Symbols | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. | Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the symbols and highlight their significance. | Examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the symbols, and highlight their significance. | Examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for symbols are accurate and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are mostly accurate. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are inaccurate. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
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