Symbolism Lesson Plan

Subject:
Topic:
Grade:
Standards:

English Language Arts

Literary Devices - Symbolism
7th and 8th Grade
7th Grade
Language
L7.L.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language,
word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L7.L.5a: Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical,
and mythological allusions) in context.
Reading Informational Texts
Reading Informational Texts
VR7.RI.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word
choice on meaning and tone.
Reading Literature
LWP7.RL.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases
as they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and
other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific
verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
8th Grade
Language
L8.L.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language,
word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
LR8.L.5a: Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony,
puns) in context.
Reading Informational Texts
VR8.RI.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word
choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or
allusions to other texts.
Reading LIterature
LW8.RL.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative

meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on

meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other
texts.
Summary:
This lesson is about symbolism. It also has an activity that includes
similes and metaphors, which were taught earlier.
Objectives: By the end of the lesson, the students will be able to
Define symbolism
Identify examples of symbolism
Give examples of symbolism
Create a simile, metaphor, and symbol pertaining to their
own life
Time:
One, forty-minute class period.
Instructional Format:
Anticipatory Set
The teacher will ask review questions about similes and
metaphors
The teacher will show the first slide of the Symbolism
PowerPoint and ask what the students see in the picture
displayed
Input
The teacher will display the definition and notes about
symbolism for the students to write down in their English
Language Arts journal
The teacher will expand upon and further explain the
definition and notes about symbolism
The teacher will show the video about holiday symbolism
Modeling...
The teacher will say which pictures on the PowerPoint
represent which holidays
The teacher will say what the pictures represent on the
PowerPoint if the students do not know
The teacher will ask leading questions to elicit multiple
meanings of symbols if the students cannot think of more
answers
The teacher will show the students her version of the
simile/metaphor/symbolism activity and explain the
requirements
On the piece on construction paper
Write your first name

 Write one simile and illustrate/explain it

I am like a _________.
I am as _________ as _________.
Draw one symbol and explain it
Something that depicts you
Something that is your favorite whatever
Something that is important to you
Write one metaphor and illustrate/explain it
My life is a _________.
Guided Practice
The students will give answers regarding what the pictures
represent
The teacher will ask leading questions to elicit multiple
meanings of symbols if the students cannot think of more
answers
The teacher will help students think of
similes/metaphors/symbols for their activity
Independent Practice
The students will have to draw ten symbols (that were not
from the PowerPoint) and write down what they represent
This will be turned in tomorrow and graded as
homework
Students will have to create their simile/metaphor/symbolism
activity
This will be turned in tomorrow and graded as
homework
Check for Understanding...
The teacher will ask questions throughout the lesson
The teacher will walk around the classroom as students are
working and observe their work
Closure
The teacher will ask the students to define symbolism and
give examples of what they have written on their activity or
on their ten examples homework
Grouping:
The students will be working in their heterogeneous table groups
Differentiation:
EL Students

 Most of the symbols used are universally known (like

McDonalds or Ferrari) the teacher will explain any unknown
symbols
Many visuals will help EL students
Written and verbal instructions will help EL students
Students are given a choice about what to do for the activity,
so they can draw and write about what they know and what
is important to them
The lesson includes strategies that target Gardners multiple
intelligences
Pictures, videos, activity example, and written
instructions for verbal/linguistic learners
Videos and verbal instructions for musical/rhythmic
learners
Symbol analysis and categorization for
mathematical/logical learners
Lots of class participation for interpersonal learners
Free choice for personal symbol, simile, and
metaphor for intrapersonal learners
Drawing and class participation by various methods
like thumbs up/thumbs down or standing up for
bodily/kinesthetic learners
Drawing for the spatial/visual learners
EL students may be given their own set of instructions
The teacher will review similes and metaphors from the
previous days lessons to reinforce learning
EL students can write first in their home language and then
translate to English for their homework examples
EL students will not be penalized for errors in grammar,
mechanics, or spelling
EL students may be required to give fewer homework
examples
EL students may be required to create a symbol and either a
simile or a metaphor, not both, on the activity
EL students can work with a peer tutor
Special Needs Students
Most of the symbols used are well known (like McDonalds
or Ferrari) the teacher will explain any unknown symbols
Many visuals will help special needs students

 Written and verbal instructions will help special needs

students
Students are given a choice about what to do for the activity,
so they can draw and write about what they know and what
is important to them
The lesson includes strategies that target Gardners multiple
intelligences
Pictures, videos, activity example, and written
instructions for verbal/linguistic learners
Videos and verbal instructions for musical/rhythmic
learners
Symbol analysis and categorization for
mathematical/logical learners
Lots of class participation for interpersonal learners
Free choice for personal symbol, simile, and
metaphor for intrapersonal learners
Drawing and class participation by various methods
like thumbs up/thumbs down or standing up for
bodily/kinesthetic learners
Drawing for the spatial/visual learners
Special needs students may be given their own set of
instructions
The teacher will review similes and metaphors from the
previous days lessons to reinforce learning
Special needs students will not be penalized for errors in
grammar, mechanics, or spelling
Special needs students may be required to give fewer
homework examples
Special needs students may be required to create a symbol
and either a simile or a metaphor, not both, on the activity
Special needs students can work with a peer tutor
GATE Students
Many of the symbols have multiple, deeper meanings that
can be challenging for GATE students to find
Students are given a choice about what to do for the activity,
so they can draw and write about what they know and what
is important to them, and GATE students can take it as deep
as they want to come up with unique and individual
examples

 The lesson includes strategies that target Gardners multiple

intelligences
Pictures, videos, activity example, and written
instructions for verbal/linguistic learners
Videos and verbal instructions for musical/rhythmic
learners
Symbol analysis and categorization for
mathematical/logical learners
Lots of class participation for interpersonal learners
Free choice for personal symbol, simile, and
metaphor for intrapersonal learners
Drawing and class participation by various methods
like thumbs up/thumbs down or standing up for
bodily/kinesthetic learners
Drawing for the spatial/visual learners
GATE students may be required to give multiple meanings
for the homework examples
Teacher...
Computer
Projector
Symbolism PowerPoint
Sample of the Activity
Different Colored Construction Paper for the Activity
Cut into 6x4.5 rectangles
One for each student
Colored Pencils/Markers
Students
English Language Arts Journal
Writing Utensil
Notebook Paper
Assessment:Formative
The teacher will ask questions throughout the lesson
The teacher will grade the homework examples
The teacher will grade the symbolism/simile/metaphor
activity
Summative
There will be a test on literary devices at the end of the unit
Materials: