Symbols are everywhere. You see symbols when you ride to school, read a book or watch a television show. A symbol is simply something that stands for something else and comes to represent its qualities or traits.
For example, there are many symbols for the United States of America, including the Stars and Stripes (or the United States flag), the Seal of the United States, the Bald Eagle, and Uncle Sam to name just a few. What symbols mean “America” to you?
Personal Symbols
What symbol or symbols would you use to represent yourself to others? Think about your best characteristics and ideas. How would you represent them visually? Look around your current environment. Are there colors that you like? Animals? Objects?
After you have thought about what colors, shapes, places, animals, signs or objects might represent you, create your new symbol. You can draw, sketch, paint or sculpt your symbol—whatever media you feel best conveys your message. What do you think your new personal symbol says about you, your values or your interests?
Did You Know?
Symbols can help you identify with or understand a group, place, or belief easily because they help define ideas in a concrete way very quickly.
Take a few minutes afterward to record your thoughts about why you chose the symbol that you did. You can do this by writing your thoughts on paper or by telling your parents. You may want to use technology to share your symbol and thoughts with the world. Websites and apps like Voicethread (www.voicethread.com) and Fotobabble (www.fotobabble.com) allow you to take a picture of your symbol and record your voice as you explain it to others.
This Learning Adventures project is sponsored by Primrose Schools and Green Bambino. Activity idea provided by Oklahoma A+ Schools, the state’s only research-based whole school network with a mission of nurturing creativity in every learner. Learn more at www.okaplus.org.
