Here's a lesson on symbolism:
Day one: introduce the definition and concept of symbols. give examples. discuss other symbols in life that students might know. ex: colors, flowers, sun, darkness, light, olive tree, dove, water, white flag, American flag...etc
Students must then create a symbol than represents their self. They can't use a sports ball because that's easy/boring. Yep, I tell them to their face that it's boring.
They get the rest of the class period to draw their symbol and write a paragraph telling me what the symbol is and why they chose it.
Day Two: finish drawings/paragraphs
Day three: present to class, clap, say "Oh how nice." and "Yes, your smiley face is beautiful. I see you copied it from a magazine..." and yada yada
Okay that was all prep so that when we read The Giver next quarter, I can ask about symbolism in the novel and what those objects/actions/people represent. With my advanced kids, it's possible to have a lengthy discussion on different symbols. With the lower level learners, it's not. They get the idea but not the purpose or idea behind symbolism. Wow, again that sounds...cruel? If anyone knows different ways to teach symbolism, please, please let me know.
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