Readers pay attention to
symbols in their books
• Writers often use an object in a story to stand
for an idea (something that we can’t touch or
see).
Symbols are objects that you read
about that stand for something else.
• A flag is a symbol for a patriotism or country.
• An owl is a symbol for wisdom.
• A dove symbolizes peace.
Think about Linus.
He always carries a blanket.
This blanket is a symbol.
Think about Linus.
• He carries it with him and it makes him feel
safe.
• The blanket is a symbol for safety.
• BLANKET=SAFETY
• This is President
Obama.
• What do you
think can be a
symbol in this
photo?
• On an interview, Myrlie
Evers, Medgar Evers’
wife, said that she
thought of the basketball
as a symbol of the world.
• "I saw a photograph of
Obama playing
basketball. This man's
feet were off of the floor,
he was reaching for that
ball, had it in the grasp of
his hands and I said, 'You
know what? I see him as
a leader, and that's the
world that's in his hands
...”
Think about the honey in Thank You,
Mr. Falker
The grandpa held the jar of hone so that all the family could see, then dipped a
ladle into it and drizzled honey on the cover of a small book.
The little girl had just turned five.
“Stand up little one,” he cooed. “I did this for your mother, your uncles, your older
brother, and now you!”
Then he handed the book to her. “Taste!’
She dipped her finger into the honey and put it into her mouth.
“What is the taste?” the grandma asked.
The little girl answered, “Sweet!”
Then all of the family said in a single voice, “Yes, and so is knowledge, but
knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through
the pages of a book!”
The little girl knew that the promise to read was at last hers. Soon she was going to
learn to read.
-From Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
The honey was a symbol for knowledge.
Look for symbols!
• While your reading, look for symbols (things,
actions, people) that stand for something we
can’t touch or see.
• Be prepared to share at the end of Reader’s
Workshop today.