Description of the Unit –

This is an excellent unit to teach symbolism via imagery. Using their actual profiles in silhouette, middle school students thoughtfully gathered and arranged images and text that they felt represented them in some way, placing them within their silhouettes, allowing us a glimpse into who they are.

Goals –

Students should…

Understand:

• The concept of symbolism
• Ways in which to use imagery to communicate aspects of one’s self
• How the arrangement of the images affects composition and focal point

Know:

• The terms: symbolism, composition, focal point

Be able to:

• Articulate their choices to their peers

Objectives –

Students will:

• Create a collage with images of personal importance
• Make deliberate choices about the arrangement of these images within the collage
• Describe their choices and process to their peers

Resources and materials –

• Exemplars of previous silhouette collages demonstrating strong and weak compositions
• As many, and varied sources for collage material including books and magazines for students to select images and text from
• White Bristol paper, about 14 x 26
• Black Bristol paper, also about 14 x 26
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• A lamp that can be used to project a student’s silhouette (as a shadow) onto a blank wall that a classmate can then trace onto the white Bristol paper
• Tape to affix the white paper to a wall while a classmate traces one’s silhouette

Questions –

• What is a symbol?
• What does it mean for one thing to symbolize another?
• What kinds of images would you choose to represent you? Why?
• What is the focal point of your collage?
• How will you arrange the remaining images around the focal point?
• Tell us about the choices you made in selecting these images.
• Tell us about why you decided to arrange these images this way.

Evaluation –

Did students:

Understand how to choose appropriate symbols to represent themselves?

Did students use their understanding of composition and focal point to create a compelling arrangement of images?

Did students clearly articulate their choices?

Informal:

• Group discussions
• Oral and written responses to essential questions
• Peer collaboration

• 7th grade
• collage