Verbal Visual Collage – What is Courage?
This unit has explored the theme of courage. Whether it is openly accepting change, an elderly lady
defending herself and helping someone in need, performing in front of a group of strangers, a teen walking
away from a destructive relationship, fighting for individual identity, someone risking his/her own safety to
protect a school community from a bully or to help a four legged friend, or simply realizing one’s mistake and
offering an apology, all these situations require different types of courage (physical, mental, moral, etc.) to
different degrees which is displayed by the characters in the stories we read.
Task: Recall the phrase “Courage is the absence of fear.”
Create your own original phrase about courage.
Illustrate the meaning of your phrase using pictures, symbols, and words.
Clearly show how the phrase specifically relates to the events in some of the stories we have studied and/or
is demonstrated by multiple characters that we have studied.
Please include:
 The phrase on your poster as the focal point – use a large font of a different typeface
 A symbol that can be associated with or represent the main idea of the phrase.
 Enough visuals that will represent the characters/stories that best relate to the idea stated in the
phrase.
 Use different fonts and lettering to display your ideas – recall the unit on Graphic Text and Text
Features
 Visuals should be formatted as “tight” so they can be moved around easily and overlapped if needed
 Visuals should cover most of the page
 All posters will be 8 ½ x 11 and will be completely computer generated in the lab during time
provided. It is imperative that you use your time wisely to complete this assignment.
Having a rough copy of your ideas and work prior to going to the lab will ensure that you meet the
deadline.
Verbal Visual Rubric
Categories and
Criteria:
Knowledge/
Understanding
Concepts and Terms
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
 displays understanding of
character with limited
some effectiveness;
several traits reflected
through purpose and or
information not clear
 displays
understanding of
character with
some
effectiveness;
several traits
reflected through
 displays understanding
of character with
considerable
effectiveness; many all
traits reflected through
visuals
 displays
understanding of
character with a high
degree of
effectiveness; all
traits reflected
through visuals
 creative and critical
thinking used with limited
effectiveness to select
symbols and visuals
 creative and critical
thinking used with
some effectiveness
to select symbols
and visuals
 creative and critical
thinking used with
considerable
effectiveness to select
symbols and visuals
 creative and critical
thinking used with a
high degree of
effectiveness to select
symbols and visuals
 poor use of space; not
balanced
 adequate use of
space; balanced
 good use of space; good
balance
 excellent use of
space; well balanced
 demonstrates limited
control of images, colour,
materials, and
craftsmanship
 demonstrates
some control of
images, colour,
materials,
craftsmanship
 demonstrates
considerable control of
images, colour,
materials, and
craftsmanship
 demonstrates
thorough and creative
use of images, colour,
materials; and
excellent
craftsmanship
/10
Thinking/Inquiry
Planning and Thinking
/10
Communication
Organization
Visual Appeal
/10
Comments/Suggestions: ________________________________________________________
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Overall Rating:
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