English · Year 7

Active learning ideas

Symbolism in Storytelling

Active learning works for symbolism because it turns abstract ideas into tangible, collaborative tasks. When students map and debate symbols, they move beyond memorizing definitions to constructing meaning together, which builds the close-reading skills required by the curriculum. These hands-on activities help bridge the gap between seeing a symbol and explaining its role in a story.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9E7LT02
• AC9E7LA07

• 25–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Concept Mapping
• 30 min · Pairs

Pairs Analysis: Symbol Mapping

Provide a short story excerpt with symbols. In pairs, students highlight symbols, note literal and possible deeper meanings, and link them to themes with text evidence. Pairs then share one symbol with the class for whole-group discussion.

Analyze how a recurring symbol can deepen the meaning of a story.

Facilitation Tip

During Pairs Analysis, have students highlight both the symbol and the evidence in different colors to make their reasoning visible.

What to look for

Provide students with a short passage containing a clear symbol. Ask them to identify the symbol and write one sentence explaining its literal meaning and one sentence explaining its symbolic meaning.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Concept Mapping
• 40 min · Small Groups

Small Groups: Create-a-Symbol

Groups brainstorm an emotion or idea, then invent a symbol using everyday objects or drawings. They write a short scene using the symbol implicitly and present to explain their intent. Class guesses meanings to practice inference.

Differentiate between explicit and implicit symbolism in a text.

Facilitation Tip

For Create-a-Symbol, set a 10-minute timer to keep the task focused, ensuring groups prioritize meaning over aesthetics.

What to look for

Present students with two different interpretations of a symbol from a shared text. Ask: 'Which interpretation is more strongly supported by the text? Why? What specific words or phrases make you say that?'

• Understand
• Analyze
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Concept Mapping
• 45 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Symbol Jigsaw

Divide class into expert groups, each analyzing symbols from different story sections. Experts teach their findings in new mixed groups, then contribute to a class symbol chart with interpretations and evidence.

Construct an interpretation of a symbol's significance within a given narrative.

Facilitation Tip

In the Symbol Jigsaw, assign roles like ‘Recorder’ and ‘Presenter’ to ensure every student contributes to the final interpretation.

What to look for

Ask students to name one symbol they encountered in today's lesson. Then, have them write one sentence describing how that symbol contributed to the story's overall meaning.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management

Activity 04

• Concept Mapping
• 25 min · Individual

Individual: Symbol Journal

Students select a personal object as a symbol, journal its meaning in their life, then rewrite a familiar fairy tale incorporating it implicitly. Share select entries in a voluntary gallery walk.

Analyze how a recurring symbol can deepen the meaning of a story.

Facilitation Tip

For Symbol Journal, collect a few entries midway to spot patterns in student thinking and address misconceptions early.

What to look for

Provide students with a short passage containing a clear symbol. Ask them to identify the symbol and write one sentence explaining its literal meaning and one sentence explaining its symbolic meaning.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Create
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teaching symbolism effectively means modeling how to track patterns and ask questions. Avoid telling students what symbols mean; instead, guide them to notice recurrences and connect them to themes. Research suggests that students benefit from revisiting symbols multiple times, so plan for spaced practice where they refine their interpretations. Emphasize that symbolism is not about guessing but about using evidence to support claims.

By the end of these activities, students should confidently identify symbols in texts, justify their interpretations with evidence, and recognize that meaning is shaped by context. Success looks like students engaging in debate, revising their ideas based on peer feedback, and connecting symbols to broader themes. You’ll see their confidence grow as they move from unsure guesses to supported claims.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Pairs Analysis, watch for students assuming symbols have only one fixed meaning.

  Use the Symbol Mapping template to have pairs list multiple possible meanings, then challenge them to justify each with text evidence before narrowing to the most supported interpretation.

• During Create-a-Symbol, watch for students treating symbols as purely decorative rather than meaningful.

  Require groups to write a one-sentence explanation of what their symbol represents before they design it, ensuring the activity stays rooted in purposeful creation.

• During Symbol Jigsaw, watch for students treating implicit symbols as accidental rather than crafted by the author.

  Have groups track recurrences of the symbol in the text and connect them to the author’s broader themes, proving the symbol is intentionally designed.

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Methods used in this brief

• Concept Mapping