I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Symbolism

Essential Question:

What is the value of symbolism in visual art?

Bridge:

Insights

Content:

Definitions and Examples

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To help students see that symbols are all around them as part of everyday life.

Activity: Divide the board into four quadrants, and have students divide and number 4 pieces of paper. Put a drawing of a common Symbol in each quadrant of board (suggestions: heart, scales, skull and crossbones, stork) and have students write word or phrase meaning on paper of same number. Teacher answers also, and tapes his/her responses face down on board for later use.

Assessment: Completed sheet divided into parts and submitted as requested.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To show that we have similar to identical ideas of what some things mean. To introduce common thought patterns on which Symbolism is based.

Activity: Divide students into four groups and assign each a drawing from the board. Give group the submitted papers for what drawing means to classmates. Record-keepers tabulate answers on board by drawing. Discuss results. Group spokespersons present conclusions to class. Uncover teacher answers and compare.

Assessment: Behavior appropriate to task. Logical conclusions.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To read a poem with a symbol. To see the symbol and realize that it means about the same thing to everyone who reads that poem.

Activity: Students read poem, "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Working independently, students draw an interpretive symbol for the poem and write a word or phrase explanation of its meaning. Have them tape on tack board as they finish which will allow them to see the similarities in their work.

Assessment: Identification of symbol and understanding of its meaning.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To see that symbols enrich meaning. To analyze poem for symbolic meaning.

Activity: Teacher lectures on symbolism including definition, purpose, famous examples. Use "Mother to Son" to show students how to analyze a poem. Students read "Brown Baby" by Oscar Brown, Jr. and "Johnny" by M. Merchant.

Assessment: Attentiveness. Note taking (periodic notebook checks).

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To reinforce understanding by working with symbols. To develop a symbol bank, a glossary of common symbols.

Activity: Symbol worksheet (pictures provided and students give meaning). Check own answers when complete. Students choose either "Brown Baby" or "Johnny" to analyze using system provided by teacher.

Assessment: Poem analysis.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: To personalize symbolism and use it effectively in original work.

Activity: Plan the use of a symbol in art or literature. Music lyric acceptable. Plan should include theme and subject matter as well as what the Symbol is and how it will be used.

Assessment: Completion of plan.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: To improve student ability to analyze the use and appropriateness of symbols.

Activity: Divide into four groups. Share individual plan with group for analysis of Symbol validity in context used. Using suggestions made complete plan into finished project.

Assessment: Quality of analysis. Quality of finished project.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: To understand the value of Symbolism in visual art. To encourage the use of symbols in original student work.

Activity: Posting or publication of projects and gallery time for viewing/reading. Come together for class discussion of symbolism and how it leads to the conceptualizing of our ideas.

Assessment: Essay exam on symbolism as a visual reinforcement which enhances and extends meaning.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: