National Building Museum Educator Resource Packet Grades 3 5 Washington: symbol and city This lesson was created as a supplement to the Washington: Symbol and City program at the National Building Museum. It is designed to be used in your classroom independently, or as an activity before or after a school program at the Museum. For more information about and to register for the National Building Museum s school programs, visit http://go.nbm.org/schoolvisit. The Washington: Symbol and City school program, using the Washington: Symbol and City exhibition, helps students in grades 3 through 5 understand the complexity of issues associated with the creation of the Nation s capital. About the National Building Museum The National Building Museum is America s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions and educational programs, including innovative curricula for students, as well as online content and publications, the Museum tells the stories of the world people design and build. The Museum is an independent, non-profit institution and is located in a historic landmark structure at 401 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Connect with the Museum online at www.nbm.org, on Twitter at @BuildingMuseum, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nationalbuildingmuseum.
Lesson 1: Symbolism: Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs! National Standards of Learning: Language Arts 7, 8; Mathematics Problem Solving, Connections; Social Studies 3, 4; Science B, E, F; Tech Lit. 8, 9, 19, 20 Duration: One class period, 45-60 minutes Overview This lesson should be taught as the introduction to the topic of symbolic architecture and Washington, D.C. as a living and a national/federal city. This lesson can easily be shortened if needed or combined with Lesson 2. Objectives Students will: Define symbol, symbolism, and sign. Distinguish between visual, auditory, and kinesthetic/motion signs. Create a message out of symbols. Identify symbols throughout their school and at home. Materials Symbol pages (p. 26) Paper Pen or pencil for each student Photocopy of Symbols Everywhere! Worksheet (p. 23) one for each student Teacher Prep Photocopy page 1 and 2 of the Symbol Everywhere! Worksheet, one double-sided copy for each student. Get Symbol pages ready. Photocopy them if you want to have them separate from this booklet. Vocabulary Symbol Symbolism 10
Lesson Plan 1. Introduction to Symbols & Symbol Challenge I (20 minutes) Let the students know they will be discussing symbols and signs. They are surrounded by symbols and signs in their daily life. Ask students why we use symbols. People use symbols and signs to share very complex ideas in quick ways. Ask for some ideas of the meaning of the word symbol write these down on a white or black board. Let students know that part of the power of a symbol is that it is universally understood--the most effective symbols can be understood by a six-year-old child. Ask students to keep these definitions in mind as they investigate some symbols together. Hand out the Symbols Everywhere! Worksheet and ask students to take a few minutes to identify all of the symbols they are familiar with and how each symbol makes them feel. Ask students to keep their definitions in mind as they look at some symbols together. Hold up the Symbol pages. The symbols get progressively more complex from a simple smiley face to the American flag. Smiley Face What does this mean? Would a child understand this? Typical answers include: happy, good job, smiley face, good. Dollar Sign What is it? What does it mean? Would people all over the world understand this? Typical answers include: money, dollars, US money, cash Peace Sign What does this mean? What else does it make you think of? What era? What type of people? What type of action? Does it have any political connections? Emphasize that from a series of black lines they came up with historical facts, a war, huge ideas. Typical answers include: Anti-war, hippies, drugs, music, Woodstock, Vietnam, protests 11
Recycle What is this one? Where do you see it? Is it asking you to do something? Emphasize that this symbol is trying to motivate action it is not neutral, it is actively promoting a specific type of action (recycling) and belief (that recycling is important for everyone). Introduce the idea of Universal Symbols symbols that are used throughout the world. Typical answers include: recycle, save the planet, don t litter American Flag What is this? What does it stand for? Re-emphasize that a rather simple visual image (some colored strips and small stars) has made the students come up with complex ideas, events and belief systems. Typical answers include: country, democracy, freedom, soldiers, baseball 2. Symbol Challenge II (20 minutes) Divide students into four groups (they will remain in these groups for the remainder of these lessons and during the Museum visit) and explain that since they now understand symbols so well they will now create two symbols that each convey a message. Ask students to create two symbols: one that is auditory and one that is kinesthetic/motion (non-image, they will not draw their symbols). They will demonstrate their symbols to the class. Give groups five to seven minutes to come up with their symbols. Examples of auditory symbols you can give students include: Shhh = quiet Clapping = great job! Laughing = that s funny Examples of kinesthetic/motion symbols you can give students include: pointer finger held to pursed lips = quiet hand held straight in front of a person palm facing up = stop hand cupped behind ear = speak louder or I can t hear you Have students act out and share their symbols with the class. Ask the rest of the class if they can figure out what message their classmates were trying to convey with symbols. 12
3. Review and clarify definitions (5-10 minutes) Review the definition of symbol and symbolism. Emphasize that symbols: Can be visual, auditory, or actions Are usually easily understood--a child should understand the basic idea Are a relatively simple way of representing a far more complex idea (ex. American Flag) Often work to elicit a feeling or an action Are all around us Taking it Further Using the Symbol Finder Worksheet (p. 15) students can investigate the type of symbols around their school and at home. Take students on a walk around the outside of the school. Have students sketch and answer the questions about the school. For homework ask students to complete the worksheet by sketching their own home and answering the remaining questions. As homework, ask students to look around their home for other symbols on packages, furniture, and appliances. Back at school, ask students to discuss the symbols they found and what messages those symbols convey. 13
Name: Student Worksheet Symbols Everywhere! Symbol What It Means Words to Describe It / How Does It Make You Feel 14
Name: Student Worksheet Symbol Finder Just by using our eyes we can discover a lot of information about the buildings around us. The way a building looks and the symbols on the building can tell us if many people use the building or just a few, if it s a place people live, work, play, or do all of those things. Using your eyes, your sketching ability, and your powerful mind, let s take a closer look at the buildings you use everyday and find the symbols that are all around you! SCHOOL Sketch the front of your school here: YOUR HOME Sketch the front of your home here: 15
What do the two buildings have in common? What is different about the two buildings? How many people use the school? How many people use the building where you live? What are the visual symbols on the outside of the building that help you know what happens in your school? What about in your home? 16