What does the symbol represent?

Reading Comprehension

CCSS RL.8.2CCSS RL.8.4England: KS3 Reading (symbolism)England: GCSE English Literature

Objective and success criteria

Students will: What does the symbol represent?.

I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
I can explain each step and say why it works.
I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Theme; Literal or figurative meaning?

Leads to: Theme statements versus topics

Materials: A short text or extract (one copy each), Highlighters, Question cards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Theme; Literal or figurative meaning?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

Is the phrase in capitals used literally or figuratively? Her words CUT DEEP. (literal / figurative) → figurativePrompt: Could this really, physically happen as written?
The new boy didn't speak English yet. At first, Sam ignored him. Then they discovered they both loved football, and soon they didn't need many words at all. What is the theme? (New pupils should stay quiet. / Friendship can grow across differences. / Football is the best sport. / Learning English is easy.) → Friendship can grow across differences.Prompt: What big idea about life does the text explore?
Is the phrase in capitals used literally or figuratively? My little brother is A NIGHT OWL. (literal / figurative) → figurativePrompt: Could this really, physically happen as written?

Hook · 3 min

Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
Share the objective: What does the symbol represent?. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
Example: Read the question and choose. In the story, the lights of the city go out one by one as the old cinema closes forever. What do the fading lights most likely symbolise?
Step 1: Writers use symbols (objects, places, weather, colours) to represent ideas such as freedom, hope or guilt.
Step 2: So the answer is: the end of an era
Answer: the end of an era
Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

Is the proposed answer correct? A character who has always worn a mask at school finally takes it off in front of her friends. What does removing the mask most likely symbolise? → showing her true self (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: A symbol is an object that stands for a bigger idea.
Read the question and choose. A girl keeps her late father's compass with her on every journey. What does the compass most likely symbolise? (her father's continuing guidance / her wish to be a sailor / getting lost / her interest in maths) → her father's continuing guidancePrompt: A symbol is an object that stands for a bigger idea.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

Read the question and choose. At the end of the story, after a long winter of grief, Ana notices the first green shoots in the garden. What do the shoots most likely symbolise? (danger approaching / the end of the family / hope and a fresh start / the need to do gardening) → hope and a fresh startPrompt: A symbol is an object that stands for a bigger idea.
Is the proposed answer correct? After the family argument, a vase that belonged to Grandma lies broken on the floor. What does the broken vase most likely symbolise? → the damage done to the family's relationships (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: A symbol is an object that stands for a bigger idea.

Watch out for

Answering from memory or opinion instead of evidence in the text.
Copying a long quote without explaining what it shows.

Support and stretch

Support

Review first: Theme.
Use concrete materials: a short text or extract (one copy each).
Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

Move on to: Theme statements versus topics.
Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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What does the symbol represent?

Name

Date

Score/ 6

1
Question 1
Is the proposed answer correct? Throughout the story, a caged bird sings by the window of a girl who is not allowed to leave her house. What does the caged bird most likely symbolise? → the girl's lack of freedom
- A. yes, it is correct
- B. no, it is not correct

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

2
Question 2
Read "The Last Lap". Why does the ribbon 'seem brighter' than the trophy?
- A. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
- B. The lights in the classroom are on it.
- C. It is made of shiny material.
- D. It is bigger than the trophy.

3
Question 3
Read the question and choose. Each time Leo lies to his friends, the storm outside grows stronger. What does the storm most likely symbolise?
- A. his love of nature
- B. the weather forecast
- C. his growing guilt and the trouble his lies are causing
- D. the end of summer
4
Question 4
Is the proposed answer correct? In the story, the lights of the city go out one by one as the old cinema closes forever. What do the fading lights most likely symbolise? → the end of an era
- A. yes, it is correct
- B. no, it is not correct
5
Question 5
Is the proposed answer correct? A girl keeps her late father's compass with her on every journey. What does the compass most likely symbolise? → her father's continuing guidance
- A. yes, it is correct
- B. no, it is not correct
6
Question 6
Read the question and choose. A girl keeps her late father's compass with her on every journey. What does the compass most likely symbolise?
- A. her interest in maths
- B. her father's continuing guidance
- C. getting lost
- D. her wish to be a sailor

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Answer key: What does the symbol represent?

1. A. yes, it is correct
2. A. It represents the team's effort and kindness, which feel more meaningful.
3. C. his growing guilt and the trouble his lies are causing
4. A. yes, it is correct
5. A. yes, it is correct
6. B. her father's continuing guidance