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.