Signs and Symbols: Unit Overview
Signs and symbols are everywhere – the school library, infographics, and story books. They are even found in reference books. I’ve written six lessons for this unit, and it is unlikely you’ll have time to do them all, so pick and choose carefully. Start off with signs and symbols found in the library, then move on to “The Five Finger Rule,” a common strategy (and symbol) used by children to judge text difficulty. Next comes national symbols and infographics, followed by flags. Finally, the unit wraps up with everybody’s favorite rodent, Scaredy Squirrel! Mélanie Watt, the brilliant author and illustrator, creatively uses symbols as part of her storytelling. The children beg for more and will be designing and creating with symbols in no time.
Signs and Symbols #1: Signs and Symbols in the Library
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students “tune in” to their new unit on signs and symbols. Since libraries have so many signs, there is a great real-world connection. To start the unit, I like to have kids look for signs and symbols they can find. However, it is also important… Read more
Signs and Symbols #2: The Five Finger Rule for Choosing Just Right Books
The second lesson in the Signs and Symbols unit is a lesson on using the five finger rule . The lesson on this rule is in the Back to School and Library Games area. It’s Lesson #4, Five Finger Rule for Choosing Just Right Books. Please click here to see the lesson. Read more
Signs and Symbols #3: Symbols of the United Arab Emirates
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn to identify and name symbols of their host country. I have written this lesson for the six official symbols of the United Arab Emirates, but you can adjust the symbols to match your home/host country. The information literacy skill is listening, something kids… Read more
Signs and Symbols #4: Infographics and Symbols
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students are introduced to infographics. Some infographics use symbols, and the lesson focuses on the use of symbols to help convey information and represent facts in infographics. We want the children to find more and different uses for symbols, and infographics are a great way… Read more
Signs and Symbols #5: National Flags as Symbols
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students learn that flags are symbols of countries. Flags have colors, shapes, and pictures or symbols. When these elements come together, a universally recognized symbol of the country is the result. Let your children explore state flags or flags of the world in this hands-on,… Read more
Signs and Symbols #6: Scaredy Squirrel, Storytelling with Symbols
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students end their Unit of Inquiry on Signs and Symbols by having fun with Mélanie Watt’s Scaredy Squirrel. Scaredy Squirrel stories are told through a combination of words and graphic organizer-type illustrations. However, many of the illustrations also use symbols with which Scaredy Squirrel communicates… Read more