Activity Overview
There are many themes, symbols and motifs present throughout the novel Other Words for Home. In this activity, students will identify themes, symbols, and motifs in Other Words for Home and illustrate examples from the text. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, they'll create a spider map illustrating what they found!
Examples of Themes, Symbols and Motifs in Other Words for Home
- Home
- Empathy
- Family
- Coming of Age
- Friendship
- Courage
- Refugee and Immigrant Experience
- Perseverance
- Hijab
- The ocean
- Music
- Food in different parts of the world / Food as part of culture
- Religion
- Cultural traditions
- Movies and Movie Stars
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, or motifs found in Other Words for Home. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes, symbols, or motifs from Other Words for Home you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
- Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Provide evidence of each of the examples in the description box.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Symbol(s) | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified symbols. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified symbols. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified symbols. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the symbols but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols. |
Activity Overview
There are many themes, symbols and motifs present throughout the novel Other Words for Home. In this activity, students will identify themes, symbols, and motifs in Other Words for Home and illustrate examples from the text. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, they'll create a spider map illustrating what they found!
Examples of Themes, Symbols and Motifs in Other Words for Home
- Home
- Empathy
- Family
- Coming of Age
- Friendship
- Courage
- Refugee and Immigrant Experience
- Perseverance
- Hijab
- The ocean
- Music
- Food in different parts of the world / Food as part of culture
- Religion
- Cultural traditions
- Movies and Movie Stars
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, or motifs found in Other Words for Home. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the themes, symbols, or motifs from Other Words for Home you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
- Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
- Provide evidence of each of the examples in the description box.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Symbol(s) | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples | All examples support the identified symbols. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. | Most examples fit the identified symbols. Descriptions say why examples are significant. | Most examples do not fit the identified symbols. Descriptions are unclear. |
| Depiction | Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding. | Most storyboard cells help to show the symbols but some storyboard cells are difficult to understand. | Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols. |
How Tos about Themes, Symbols, and Motifs in Other Words for Home
How to Facilitate a Thoughtful Class Discussion on Themes and Symbols
Encourage active participation by setting clear discussion norms and inviting every student to share their ideas. Build trust so students feel comfortable expressing different viewpoints about the text’s themes and symbols.
Prepare open-ended questions before the discussion
Develop questions that prompt students to analyze and connect the themes and symbols with their own experiences or current events. This guides students to think more deeply.
Assign roles to promote engagement
Designate discussion leaders, summarizers, and note-takers to keep everyone involved. Rotating roles helps all students build confidence speaking and listening.
Model connecting evidence from the text
Show how to cite specific passages when discussing themes or symbols. Use think-alouds to demonstrate strong text-based reasoning.
Encourage respectful disagreement and build on ideas
Teach students to disagree thoughtfully and expand on classmates’ comments. This creates a richer, more collaborative exploration of the novel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Themes, Symbols, and Motifs in Other Words for Home
What are the main themes in Other Words for Home?
Other Words for Home explores themes like home, empathy, family, coming of age, friendship, courage, perseverance, and the refugee experience. These themes help readers connect with the characters and understand their journeys.
How can I teach symbols and motifs from Other Words for Home to middle school students?
Use activities like spider maps or an envelope activity where students track assigned symbols or motifs while reading. Encourage them to illustrate examples and write brief descriptions to deepen understanding.
What is an envelope activity for teaching literary elements?
An envelope activity involves giving students specific themes, symbols, or motifs in envelopes to track as they read. This focused approach helps students pay attention to recurring ideas and discuss their significance.
Why is the hijab a significant symbol in Other Words for Home?
The hijab in Other Words for Home symbolizes identity, faith, and belonging. It represents the protagonist's cultural pride and her journey navigating a new environment while staying true to herself.
What are some engaging ways to illustrate themes and motifs from Other Words for Home in class?
Have students create storyboards or spider maps that visually represent themes and motifs, using scenes and characters from the novel. This visual approach makes abstract ideas more concrete and memorable.
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