How Symbols Can Change Our Lives
Developed by April Malone
Wogaman Middle School, Dayton
Language Arts
Grade Level: 8
Introduction
It is easy to forget what some students endure in the everyday lives. Only when we scratch beneath the surface do we get an idea of what they face. Given an opportunity, they often reveal things that would burden anyone, let alone a child. April Malone, a language arts teacher at Wogaman Middle School in Dayton, Ohio, used the River Story template that she learned about at the Muse Machine’s Summer Institute 2016 to prompt her students to think deeply about the key moments in their lives that have brought them to the point they are at today. Some of them did so in poignant ways that reveal much about how they think and why they do some of the things that they do. Ping Chong & Company presented the River Story structure to teachers to demonstrate how we can prompt students to think about their lives more powerfully. It was skillfully used in this lesson by a teacher who taught more than English usage during this lesson.
Non-Arts Discipline
Integrated Language Arts
Strand/Process
This lesson plan can take up to two days depending upon student pace. See information enclosed for more details.
Content Statement
Through completing the river activity and extensions students will gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the academic concepts of symbolism, denotation, and connotation.
Enduring Understandings:
Symbols have the power to change lives.
Level of Inquiry (confirmation/structured/guided/open) Circle and describe
Students are given the rivers activity to invoke personal reflections, realizations, and inquiries.
Arts Discipline
Language Arts
Content Statement
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1.B
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Enduring Understandings
Students will learn to look closely and think deeply about the world around them. They will do so by questioning and evaluating the symbols that they see in everyday life and symbols that have been prevalent throughout American history.
Progress Points
- informal pre and post assessment
- student responses and products
- observations
Essential Questions
- Does America live up to the symbol that it created for itself?
- Is a symbol important if what it represents does not live up to what it symbolizes?
- Do symbols have the power to change someone’s life?
Content Elaborations
Students will learn …
- To look past the surface meaning of a symbol
- To understand the importance of the denotation and connotation of words and symbols
Expectations for Learning
Students will demonstrate this learning by…
- Actively engaging in peer and whole group discussions
- Insightfully answering open-ended and close-ended questions
Instructional Strategies
- Enthusiastic vocal cues from facilitator
- Brief question-and-answer sessions
- Discussion integrated into the lecture
- Engaging and self-reflective writing/drawing assignments
- Movement incorporated activity
Assessment (Pre and/or Post)
- verbal and written feedback
- formal post assessment of basic concepts (symbolism, denotation, connotation) test results
- personal ability to recognize and define symbols
Materials & Resources
Materials list for Students:
- Muse Machine Summer Institute 2016 Activity & Lesson Summary for participants
- Black no lined paper
Materials list for Students:
- Basic school supplies
- Dictionary
Key Vocabulary
- Symbolism
- Denotation
- Connotation
Student Performance Tasks
- Students will come into the room and do the bell work which is to write down the basic definitions of the vocabulary and to assign group roles.
- Bell work discussion concept introduction.
- HOOK: Students will be guided through the rivers activity then asked to create a symbol for themselves. Then student will create their own symbols and explain them.
- Student will whole group and peer share. (see attached document for activities)
Career Connections
Most companies, teams, and organizations have a motto and mascot that represents them, usually expressing their goal purpose or beliefs. Perhaps learning how to recognize and analyze symbols will help students understand the values of the workplace, team or organization that they are a part of.
Diverse Learners
Students are in varied groups of multiple cognitive abilities, learning styles and talents, which allow all students to be or receive peer assistance if and when needed.
Interdisciplinary Connections
This learning integrates one of the main activities from the summer institute.
Technology Connections
- Screen projection
- Rivers activity done on paint
- YouTube video in which a woman indirectly tells her rivers story, and directly tells about her personal symbol in a portion of the video. “The Healing Power of Hugs, Meet Mama Hill.”
Home/At Work Connections
Students will be creating symbols that represent their current and future self.