Minds On
Let’s get started!
What are symbols?
Did you know that symbols are all around us?
Symbols are simple pictures that represent words. Sometimes when a person doesn’t know a word, they can draw it instead.
Explore the following symbols. Are any of these familiar?
Record your ideas using words, pictures or an audio recording. Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.
Action
Get ready, get set…
What do they mean?
In the Minds On, you explored different symbols.
Symbols are simple pictures that represent words. Sometimes when a person doesn’t know a word, they can draw it out. Colours can also be used in symbols to help share ideas.
This previous symbol is a recycling symbol.
The bin is the colour blue because it means that we can recycle plastic, glass, metal and diverse types of paper (e.g. construction paper, cardboard etc.)
The previous symbols are a bicycle symbol and a person symbol.
The bicycle symbol is for people who are riding a bicycle. The person symbol is for a person who is using the sidewalk.
These symbols are both on a green background which might mean that if you are biking or walking you can go along the path.
A stop sign uses the word “STOP.” The sign is always in the shape of an octagon (a closed shape with eight sides). A stop sign has a red background.
The previous symbol is a symbol of an arrow. Arrows help us know which direction we should travel.
The previous symbols are emoticons. Emoticons can be used to share our feelings in digital applications.
For example, if someone is feeling happy, sad or surprised they might use an emoticon.
We can use symbols to communicate how we are feeling, to give instructions, and to keep people safe.
Go!
Sharing with symbols
Let’s explore another way we can communicate using symbols.
Depending on where you live, the weather might change a little or a lot.
Explore the following weather symbols.
Are there any symbols that you would add to the list? How might you create your symbol?
A series of 7 symbols used to share the weather. Sunny weather is a sun symbol. Rainy weather is a clouds and rain symbol. A thunderstorm is a cloud and lighting symbol. Snowy weather is a cloud and snow symbol. Windy weather is a cloud and wind symbol. Warm weather is a thermometer and wavy lines symbol. Cold weather is a thermometer and snowflake symbol.
Complete the following Your Weather Symbol activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
|
The weather is sunny. |
A sunny weather symbol is:
|
|
My weather is… |
My weather symbol is… |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Your Weather Symbol.
Sharing the weather
Imagine that you are helping share the weather on a TVO Kids News episode.
Headlines of the week
Let’s explore a Ten Frame! Try using it yourself and ask for help if you need it!
You must use symbols to share the following three weather forecasts with the audience over the next three days. Use the following instructions to create your weather forecast.
You can record your ideas using words, pictures, or as an audio recording.
Day 1: sunny and warm
Day 2: windy and warm
Day 3: thunderstorm and cold
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Symbol search
Now that we have explored diverse symbols and what they can mean, it’s time to do a symbol search.
Safety
Always be sure to do your safety checks before you do an activity.
Before you begin, check:
Explore your own space or think about your community.
Do you notice any symbols? What do you think they mean?
Create a picture of the symbol, share with a partner if possible or record your ideas using another method of your choice.
Complete the following My Community Symbols activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
|
The symbol I chose is (Blank) I think it means (Blank) |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Community Symbols.
Portfolio
Review your learning
Using your art journal, or another method of your choice, answer the following questions.
- What did you notice about symbols in your environment?
- How can we use symbols to share a story?
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.