How to Effectively Relate Symbolism to Your Students’ Lives

If you're a middle-school teacher, chances are you've had to teach literary symbolism at some point. And if you have, you also probably know that it can be a tough concept for students to grasp. After all, what does a black raven have to do with death? And . . . why should they care?

But the thing is, symbolism is all around us, even if we don't realize it. And once your students understand what it is and how to identify it, they can start to see it everywhere - in the books they read, in the movies they watch, and even in their own lives.

So how can you make symbolism relevant to your students? Here are a few tips:

- Talk about symbolism in the context of pop culture.

For example, you could discuss how the symbolism in a given superhero movie relates to real-world issues like good vs. evil, power, and justice.

- Discuss symbols your students are already familiar with.

What does a red hexagon mean? It means to stop. What does a green light mean? It means to go. Sometimes middle-schoolers come to us with the idea that symbolism doesn't really exist and it's just something English teachers made up, but really? Symbolism is everywhere you look.

- Help your students make connections between symbolism and their own lives.

For example, you could ask them to think of a time when they've felt like an outsider and discuss how that feeling was symbolized in their behavior or appearance. As for me, I tend to do crazy things with my hair when I'm going through changes in my life. Those wacky haircuts and colors actually symbolize the confusion in my life, and we all know middle-schoolers do the same thing with their style (whether they're aware of it or not).

- Get creative with your examples.

If you're struggling to find symbolism in the books or movies your students are interested in, try using symbolism from other sources, like commercials, music videos, or even video games.

- Challenge your students to make connections between seemingly unrelated objects and concepts.

What could a pickle have to do with contentment? What might a ceiling fan show us about persistence? Turn it into a game, and your students will pick up on hidden meanings pretty quickly. Once they have the hang of connecting random objects as symbols, they will be much more ready to see real-world symbolism around them.

- Encourage your students to look for symbolism everywhere.

Once they start looking, they'll be surprised at how often they see it. And who knows? They might even start creating original symbols in their own writing.

Symbolism doesn't have to be boring. With a little creativity, you can help your students see the hidden meanings in everyday objects and concepts. Before you know it, they might surprise you with the symbolism they notice in their own reading and writing!