WHAT IS A SYMBOL?

Help students explore the powerful world of symbols through this thoughtful companion resource for the short film “What Is a Symbol?”

Youtube: WHAT IS A SYMBOL? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T1X9DUmwEw&t=15s]

Designed for learners ages 9–17, this resource guides students beyond simple definitions and into deeper questions: How do objects become meaningful? Can one symbol mean different things to different people? How do culture, memory, emotion, and context shape what a symbol means?

Using the film’s central symbols — the bird, gate, lotus, spiral, flag, and key, students practice visual literacy, interpretation, reflection, discussion, and creative expression. This resource is ideal for ELA, social studies, art, media literacy, character education, SEL, and interdisciplinary humanities lessons.

The activities invite students to think carefully, respectfully, and creatively about how symbols help humans express identity, belonging, memory, hope, questions, and ideas.