Ethiopia used as a case study for bigger ideas.
Lesson Activity:
Lesson Objective: This lesson will help students identify meaning in symbolic objects.
Do Now: Teacher will have 5 Ethiopian objects in front of the room. Students wil be asked to think
about want each object symbolizes (if symbolic has not been defined, teacher should define it first).
Students will each receive five small pieces of paper and be asked to write an inference for each object.
Students can then place their inferences next to each object. The teacher will read out 2-3 inferences
made by students for each of the five objects. Teacher will then share out that each of these objects has
a specific symbolic meaning not only maybe for you but in the country of Ethiopia. Teacher then makes
the point that the meanings of symbols depend on individual ideas, culture, history, national identity,
religious beliefs, and personal experiences. Symbols can also gain meaning from the books we read or
media we interact with.
Direct Instruction: Agenda is shared with students: Today we are going to think about symbols, identify
the different meanings they have for people and cultures. You will also be able to choose something
symbolic from your own life or culture and think about how others may have a different symbolic
meaning associated. Teacher then points out the five categories of symbols on the board (religious,
historic, cultural, personal, textual/media). Teacher uses one of the symbols from Ethiopia and talks
about what category or categories it is found in. The teacher then discusses how the same symbol could
be found in other categories depending on who was thinking about the symbol.
Guided Practice: Teacher explains that the class will be separated into 4 groups. Each group will receive
a symbolic object from Ethiopia and its symbolic meaning. They will then think of other symbolic
meanings the symbol has categorize all meanings using the symbol categories presented. Teachers may
provide encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc. as references. Students will work through activity and teacher
will guide thoughts as necessary. Students can record their brainstorms visually, through audio, or
another presentation method the instructor decides upon. Each group will then have two minutes to
present their symbol and its meanings to the class.
Independent Practice: Students will then be asked to pick a symbolic object from their own world and
use the categories and resources provided by the teacher to think about the meaning it has for them or
for others. They will write out their thoughts.
Exit Assessment: Students will be assessed using their individual work thoughts.
Closing: Students will end in a discussion based on three questions posed on board-
How can we identify meaning in symbols?
Why is it important to know that symbols have different meanings for different people?
What else is associated with symbols?
Note: The following are suggested symbols to use in relation to their meaning in Ethiopia:
Umbrella, Flag, Cross, Plow, Coffee Beans, Clothing, Animals, Flowers (national flower)