Understanding Symbolism- Self Identity, Writing & the Image

Title: Understanding Symbolism- Creating Mind Maps to Express through Writing and Photography
By: Jessica Correa

Disciplines: Creative Writing, Photography

Grade Level: Elementary School

Length of Lesson: 60 min.



Goals/Objectives

Essential Questions:

How can symbols be used to express a concrete thought or feeling?
How does the language of Writing relate to Visual language?
How do images translate into thoughts?

Standards & Benchmarks

IL.25.B- Understand the similarities, distinctions, and connections in and among the arts.

IL.2.A- Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning.

Writing Objectives: The students will be able to…

write a creative representation of things or ideas that have meaning in their own life
create symbols that represent these things
draw a ‘mind map’ illustrating their symbols literally

Photography Objectives: The students will be able to…

demonstrate an understanding of Visual Symbols
choose a symbol from their writings to photograph
create a photograph of this symbol that expresses their idea

Benchmark

Elementary students will be able to create a mind map that illustrates symbols of things or ideas that are important to them and make a photograph that symbolically represents the same idea.



Assessment:

Students can explain the symbol they have created and what it represents.
Students have generated a mind map with the use of symbols.
Students have created a photograph that symbolizes the same meaning found in their writings.
Students have expressed a particular thought or feeling through the use of symbol.

Checklist for Cohesive Project Work:
1.
Preparation:

Essential Learning-The students will learn how to write about their thoughts and feelings, how to draw symbols that represent a written idea, and how to take pictures of symbols.

Pre-requisite Learning- The Students must have prior knowledge of basic writing and drawing techniques, and know how to make a photograph (i.e. how to use a simple camera)

Anticipated Learning- Students will gain understanding of the meaning of ‘symbolism’ and be able to relate it to the disciplines of Writing and Photography.

Teacher Preparation

Materials:

Card stock paper
Drawing pencils
Samples of Visual Symbols
Samples of Written Symbols
Basic Cameras
Photo-Quality Paper

Assemble Materials- The teacher should assemble all materials beforehand and collect proper examples to be used during the lesson.

Practice Beforehand- The teacher should review vocabulary and be prepared to explain symbolism in it’s written and visual forms. Also, be sure to allow for proper discussion time during the lesson.

Vocabulary:

Symbol: a sign that has acquired a conventional significance
-or-
something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible

Visual symbol: a sign that acquires significance by means of sight

Written symbol: a sign that acquires significance by means of literary practice

Mind: that which is responsible for one’s thoughts and feelings

Map: locate within a specific region

‘Mind Map’: locate within a specific region that which is responsible for one’s thoughts and feelings.

Photography: drawing with light

Lesson Components:

Anticipatory Set-

If you were to write a story about what is important to you in your life, but you couldn’t use any words, how would you communicate? What would you want to say? A symbol is a sign that represents something invisible.

At this point the teacher should show some basic examples of symbols (some drawn, some photographic).

Now, if you had to write that same story, but you couldn’t even write anything down, how could you use real objects to represent your idea? What is different between translating your thoughts with words or Written Symbols and using real images of things? What kind of symbols in real life can you think of?

Body of Lesson-

The students will begin by writing a creative short story or description of themselves that describes some things that are important in their lives and why. They should be able to describe their ideas and feelings and explain the significance they have in their lives in this written piece.
Once the students have written their stories and they have been reviewed, they will then make ‘Mind Maps,’ that illustrate the same ideas from their stories.

First. Please start your mind map by drawing a symbol that shows what you look like in the middle of the page. From this image, you will draw outwards a line that connects yourself to more symbols of the things you wrote about being important in your life. Continue by connecting those symbols to others that describe them. You must have at least four symbols in your mind map used in your original writing.

Second. When you have finished your map, choose one symbol that is most significant to you, or that you like the best. What real object could also represent the same thing or idea?

The students will then be asked to take a picture of something that can symbolize the same thing as the symbol they have created. The teacher will need to review their photographs and print them for them on quality photo paper.

Closure:

The students will read their short stories and present their mind maps to the class, during a mock gallery opening. They will show which symbol they chose to photograph, point out which image it is and explain why they think that picture represents their symbol. They should explain why it is important to them, referring back to their written assignment.