Activity Overview
Objects come to symbolize different things in various contexts and understanding symbolism is vital to a greater appreciation of literature. Many students can recognize that something is associated with Thanksgiving, 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 Thanksgiving itself.
I chose to use the spider map layout in my example. The symbol should be named in the title box, a visual representation should be made in the storyboard cell, and an explanation of what the symbol represents should be included in the description box.
Here are a few possible examples:
- Pilgrims and Native Americans
Both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans contributed to the celebration feast of the successful harvest. Having a Pilgrim and Native American together shows friendship.
- Corn, Pumpkins, and Gourds
Corn was a staple to the Native Americans and they taught the Pilgrims to grow it. Pumpkins, squash, and other gourds are vegetables harvested in the fall.
- Autumn Leaves
Thanksgiving occurs during autumn. The colored leaves reminds us that the plentiful summer is over, and the cold winter, when little food is to be found, is coming.
- Wheat
Wheat is usually harvested during the fall. Wheat is used to make flour for bread, which has been an important source of food for thousands of years.
- Turkey
At Thanksgiving, we eat turkey: a bird that was available to people in the time of the first Thanksgivings. In England, they typically ate goose at the harvest time.
- Cornucopia
The cornucopia is also known as the "horn of plenty." It represents the wealth and the bounty of the fall harvest.
- Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries were one type of berry that the Pilgrims were able to forage. They used maple syrup to sweeten the juice.
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 symbol in the heading.
- Explain what each symbol represents in the description box.
- Create a visual representation of each symbol 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. |
Activity Overview
Objects come to symbolize different things in various contexts and understanding symbolism is vital to a greater appreciation of literature. Many students can recognize that something is associated with Thanksgiving, 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 Thanksgiving itself.
I chose to use the spider map layout in my example. The symbol should be named in the title box, a visual representation should be made in the storyboard cell, and an explanation of what the symbol represents should be included in the description box.
Here are a few possible examples:
- Pilgrims and Native Americans
Both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans contributed to the celebration feast of the successful harvest. Having a Pilgrim and Native American together shows friendship.
- Corn, Pumpkins, and Gourds
Corn was a staple to the Native Americans and they taught the Pilgrims to grow it. Pumpkins, squash, and other gourds are vegetables harvested in the fall.
- Autumn Leaves
Thanksgiving occurs during autumn. The colored leaves reminds us that the plentiful summer is over, and the cold winter, when little food is to be found, is coming.
- Wheat
Wheat is usually harvested during the fall. Wheat is used to make flour for bread, which has been an important source of food for thousands of years.
- Turkey
At Thanksgiving, we eat turkey: a bird that was available to people in the time of the first Thanksgivings. In England, they typically ate goose at the harvest time.
- Cornucopia
The cornucopia is also known as the "horn of plenty." It represents the wealth and the bounty of the fall harvest.
- Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries were one type of berry that the Pilgrims were able to forage. They used maple syrup to sweeten the juice.
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 symbol in the heading.
- Explain what each symbol represents in the description box.
- Create a visual representation of each symbol 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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