Language Arts · Grade 6

Active learning ideas

Analyzing Symbolism in Poetry

Active learning turns abstract ideas into concrete understanding. When students analyze symbols in poetry through hands-on activities, they move beyond passive reading to active interpretation. This approach builds confidence as they notice patterns, debate meanings, and connect symbols to real emotions and experiences in the texts.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4

• 20–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Jigsaw
• 45 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Symbol Specialists

Assign small groups a poem rich in symbolism, like 'The Road Not Taken.' Groups identify key symbols, their meanings, and evidence, then regroup as 'home' teams to share expertise. Conclude with whole-class synthesis.

Analyze how a mundane object can represent a larger philosophical idea in a poem.

Facilitation Tip

During Jigsaw Groups, assign each group a different poem so they become expert analyzers before teaching others.

What to look for

Provide students with a short, accessible poem containing clear symbols. Ask them to identify one recurring object or image and write one sentence explaining what it might symbolize, citing one line from the poem as evidence.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 02

• Gallery Walk
• 30 min · Pairs

Pairs: Symbol Creation Challenge

Partners select a mundane object, like a clock, and write a short poem using it as a symbol for a life idea. They exchange poems, interpret each other's symbols, and discuss evidence for their readings.

Explain why certain symbols reappear across different cultures and eras.

Facilitation Tip

For the Symbol Creation Challenge, provide index cards and colored pencils to spark creativity and focus.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Why do you think certain symbols, like water or fire, appear in stories from so many different cultures around the world?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to share examples and connect symbols to universal human experiences.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 03

• Gallery Walk
• 40 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Symbol Gallery Walk

Students illustrate and label symbols from class poems on posters. Class walks the gallery, noting interpretations and cultural connections, then votes on most insightful analyses.

Construct an interpretation of a poem's symbolism, supporting it with textual evidence.

Facilitation Tip

During the Symbol Gallery Walk, place poems on walls at eye level so students can step back to view symbols in context.

What to look for

On an index card, have students write down one symbol they encountered in today's lesson (either from a poem or discussion) and explain in 2-3 sentences its potential meaning and why it is significant in the context it was used.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Activity 04

• Gallery Walk
• 20 min · Individual

Individual: Symbol Journal

Students track personal symbols from daily life in journals, linking them to poems read. They select one for a written interpretation with evidence from the text.

Analyze how a mundane object can represent a larger philosophical idea in a poem.

What to look for

Provide students with a short, accessible poem containing clear symbols. Ask them to identify one recurring object or image and write one sentence explaining what it might symbolize, citing one line from the poem as evidence.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach symbolism by starting with the familiar before moving to the abstract. Use everyday objects like a clock or a door to introduce the concept before poetry. Avoid overwhelming students with too many possible meanings at once. Research shows that structured peer discussion and repeated exposure to examples strengthen interpretation skills more than isolated lectures.

Students will confidently identify and interpret symbols in poetry. They will support their ideas with textual evidence and explain how symbols contribute to theme and emotional impact. Collaborative discussions and written reflections show their growing ability to think critically about figurative language.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Jigsaw Groups, watch for students who assume symbols have fixed meanings across all poems.

  Use the jigsaw structure to have groups compare their poems and notice how the same object carries different meanings in each context. Ask them to present examples of these shifts to the class.

• During Pairs: Symbol Creation Challenge, watch for students who dismiss everyday objects as unworthy of symbolism.

  Provide a list of common objects and have pairs brainstorm multiple possible meanings for each before creating their own symbol. Discuss how poets transform ordinary things into ideas.

• During the Symbol Gallery Walk, watch for students who stop at identifying symbols without explaining their significance.

  Ask students to write a sentence on the gallery wall next to each poem explaining how the symbol connects to the poem's theme or emotional impact. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking with questions like 'What does this make you feel?'

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Methods used in this brief

• Jigsaw
• Gallery Walk