Personal and Cultural Identity
ASSIGNMENT 3: Symbols
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Learning Target (Curricular Competencies):
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Symbols
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning.
Cultural identity is often associated with visual symbols. What is identity? What are some ways people identify themselves? What does it mean to have a personal identity? A collective identity?
For example, one familiar symbol to First Peoples of Canada is the sacred circle of life symbolizing continuity, seasonal migration, and cyclical patterns in nature. "Because the regular seasonal pattern of life and movement of the animals and people was a continuous pattern, like a circle with no beginning and no end, the circle became a sacred symbol for First Nations people, the circle of life and renewal.”
Source: http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_groups_overview.html
Look at these symbols in First Peoples' legends and culture.
Click on some of the symbols found at this site to read the explanation behind the symbol. For example, Dragonfly is a symbol of change, transformation, and swiftness to the Northwest Coast First Nations.
Task:
Your assignment is to create your personal symbol and explain what it means in a brief paragraph of 200 words. You can create your image in an online program or draw it or develop it electronically. You just can't copy and paste from the internet.
Some factors to consider may include traditions, cultural background, language, religion and spirituality, the arts (music, dance, etc.), attire (clothing, body markings), relationship to the land, ideological beliefs (political views, personal mottos).
Assessment: Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.
Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. Student demonstrates critical, creative, and reflective thinking to construct meaningful personal connections between self, text, and world. Exemplary ability to develop and respond to text to develop a personal symbol. There is a clear connection and engagement with the topic.
Written Expression: Exemplary (6/6): Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen. Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections with logical organization.
Submission
Use the "3.3 Symbols" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.