Masquerade Party (Theme & Symbolism)
In this lesson, students will work in small groups to analyze the theme of a guided or shared reading book. Students will use the 3Doodler to design a mask that expresses the theme of their book through symbols.
Knowledge
Students have
had experience identifying and discussing literary themes.
had experience recognizing symbols.
had practice using 3Doodler.
had experience identifying and discussing literary themes.
had experience recognizing symbols.
had practice using 3Doodler.
Objectives
Students will
recognize the theme of their group's book.
identify symbols that best express the theme of their group's book.
use the 3Doodler to doodle a mask with symbols that express their book's theme.
recognize the theme of their group's book.
identify symbols that best express the theme of their group's book.
use the 3Doodler to doodle a mask with symbols that express their book's theme.
Materials
Students will need
3Doodler (1 per group)
scrap paper (1-2 per group)
pencil (2-3 per group)
mask template (1 per group) (Optional: Mardi Gras Mask Templates)
3Doodler (1 per group)
scrap paper (1-2 per group)
pencil (2-3 per group)
mask template (1 per group) (Optional: Mardi Gras Mask Templates)
Lesson Plan
Instructions
Step 1
PREPARATION: Print out masks before the lesson.
Step 2
Whole group: Review the meaning of a literary theme as the message the author wants you to take from the story.
Step 3
Brainstorm various literary themes, e.g., courage, kindness, respect, discovery, persistence, accepting others, overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself, etc.
Step 4
Discuss the theme of a story that your class has shared.
Step 5
Record a sentence that best summarizes the theme of your shared read aloud, e.g., trust your friends or never turn your back on a friend.
Step 6
Discuss symbols and how they represent something else, like a human experience. Discuss what each of the following objects might represent: bird/freedom, cat/mystery, heart/love, hand/friendship, flower/growth, snake/danger, flag/patriotism, fire/anger.
Step 7
Ask students to brainstorm ideas for symbols to express the theme of the shared read.
Step 8
Cut out the mask template. Use pencil to draw a composite of 4-6 selected theme symbols. Make sure that symbols are connected to each other by their edges. Some symbols may be repeated. After drawing symbols, create additional doodles to fill in any empty space and join all parts. *See Appendix.
Step 9
Trace over pencil lines with 3Doodler. Fill in selected areas by doodling lines back and forth. Be sure to connect with each side of the outline. Allow 2-3 minutes to harden and peel off of paper.
Step 10
Challenge students to work in small groups of 2-3 to create a mask with 4-6 symbols that represent a selected book's theme that all students have read.
Step 11
Instruct students to work in their groups to discuss the book's theme. Then brainstorm and sketch various possible ideas before moving onto designing a mask stencil and tracing it with a 3Doodler.
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Step 12
Circle to guide, assist and assess.
PREPARATION: Print out masks before the lesson.
Whole group: Review the meaning of a literary theme as the message the author wants you to take from the story.
Brainstorm various literary themes, e.g., courage, kindness, respect, discovery, persistence, accepting others, overcoming obstacles, believing in yourself, etc.
Discuss the theme of a story that your class has shared.
Record a sentence that best summarizes the theme of your shared read aloud, e.g., trust your friends or never turn your back on a friend.
Discuss symbols and how they represent something else, like a human experience. Discuss what each of the following objects might represent: bird/freedom, cat/mystery, heart/love, hand/friendship, flower/growth, snake/danger, flag/patriotism, fire/anger.
Ask students to brainstorm ideas for symbols to express the theme of the shared read.
Cut out the mask template. Use pencil to draw a composite of 4-6 selected theme symbols. Make sure that symbols are connected to each other by their edges. Some symbols may be repeated. After drawing symbols, create additional doodles to fill in any empty space and join all parts. *See Appendix.
Trace over pencil lines with 3Doodler. Fill in selected areas by doodling lines back and forth. Be sure to connect with each side of the outline. Allow 2-3 minutes to harden and peel off of paper.
Challenge students to work in small groups of 2-3 to create a mask with 4-6 symbols that represent a selected book's theme that all students have read.
Instruct students to work in their groups to discuss the book's theme. Then brainstorm and sketch various possible ideas before moving onto designing a mask stencil and tracing it with a 3Doodler.
Circle to guide, assist and assess.
Wrap Up
Assessment
Possible Extensions
Resources
Vocabulary
Educational Standards
Determine a theme of a story from details in the text.
Students will work in small groups to identify the theme of a shared reading book.
Make connections between the text of a story and a visual presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.
Students will create a visual mask that represents the theme of a shared reading book.
Define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system and includes several criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
Students will work in pairs to meet selected criteria while designing a mask with symbols that expresses the theme of a shared reading book.
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Students will work in small groups sketching various symbols and design possibilities with before selecting one to doodle for their mask.
Plan and create a design document to illustrate thoughts and ideas in a sequential (step-by-step) manner (e.g., story map, storyboard, sequential graphic organizer).
Students will work with their group to sketch a plan and stencil for the organization and placement of mask symbols and design elements before doodling over it with a 3Doodler.
Decompose (break down) a larger problem into smaller sub-problems with teacher guidance or independently.
Students will analyze the theme of a shared reading book, identifying and discussing symbols that best express this theme.
Use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
Students will use a 3Doodler to visually demonstrate the theme of a book by designing a mask that incorporates related symbolism.
Exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.
Students will demonstrate willingness and competency within an open-ended task with more than one possible outcome.
Create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
Students will create an original mask that expresses the theme of a book through symbolism.
Use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.
Students will create original mask designs based on group input, collaboration, and problem solving.
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