Year Level

Year 10

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

26 students

Unit Context

Unit Title: Voices of Courage and Resilience Lesson Number: 5 of 30 Lesson Title: Symbolism in the Diary Focus Text: Anne Frank’s Diary (extracts appropriate for Year 10 students)

NSW Curriculum Outcomes and Content Descriptions

English Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) – Language and Literature Strand

• EN5-3A: Analyses texts and evaluates how language choices, including literary devices such as symbolism, shape meaning and emotional effect for audiences.
• EN5-6B: Creates literary texts that explore and reflect on themes of courage and resilience, using a range of language features and text structures.
• EN5-1B: Reads and interprets a range of texts, analysing the representation of ideas, people, and events and evaluating how context influences meaning.

These align with Year 10 achievement standards where students analyse literary devices and interpret representations, substantiating their responses thoughtfully.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify key symbols found in extracts from Anne Frank’s diary.
• Interpret the meanings of these symbols within the historical and personal context of Anne Frank’s experiences.
• Analyse how symbolism enhances understanding of themes related to courage and resilience.
• Discuss and reflect on how symbols contribute to emotional impact and audience engagement.

Essential Questions

• What are symbols, and why do writers use them?
• What symbols can we find in Anne Frank’s diary?
• How do these symbols express themes of courage and resilience?
• How do symbols help us better understand Anne’s experiences and emotions?

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Lesson Flow

Time	Activity	Details & Resources
5 mins	Introduction to Symbolism	- Brief teacher-led discussion defining symbolism as a literary device.

• Generate examples of common symbols from students’ prior knowledge (e.g., dove for peace, broken mirror representing bad luck).
• Explain the role of symbolism in diaries/biographies to express deeper meaning. Utilize whiteboard or digital display. | | 10 mins | Guided Reading: Diary Extracts | - Distribute selected, age-appropriate diary extracts focusing on symbolic elements (e.g., Anne’s reference to “the annex,” “the diary,” or recurring images like nature/flowers).
• Read aloud as a class or in pairs.
• Teacher models annotation for identifying symbols and initial thoughts on possible meanings.
• Use annotation tools or printed margins to mark symbols. | | 15 mins | Group Discussion and Analysis | - In small groups of 4–5, students discuss:

1. What symbols they found.
2. What they think these symbols represent in relation to Anne’s circumstances.
3. How these symbols relate to the themes of courage and resilience.

• Teacher circulates, scaffolding interpretations with prompts:
• “Why might Anne use [symbol] here?”
• “How does this symbol help you understand her feelings?”
• Groups prepare a brief summary of their analysis for sharing. | | 10 mins | Creative Expression Task | - Each student chooses one symbol from the diary and creates a multimodal response (e.g., a short poem, drawing, or digital collage) that interprets its meaning linked to courage and resilience.
• Encourage use of metaphorical language or visual imagery.
• Present ideas informally in pairs or to the group if time allows. | | 5 mins | Plenary and Reflection | - Whole-class reflection on how symbolism deepens understanding of personal voices in historical texts.
• Students answer two exit questions:

1. What is one new thing you learned about symbolism today?
2. How does understanding symbols change your view of Anne Frank’s diary?

• Collect exit cards or conduct a short oral share. |

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Assessment and Feedback

Formative Assessment

• Observation during group discussions: ability to identify and interpret symbols effectively.
• Review of annotations on diary extracts.
• Evaluation of creative responses for understanding of symbolism linked to courage and resilience.
• Exit card reflections gauging individual insight.

Success Criteria

• Accurate identification of at least two key symbols in the diary extract.
• Clear interpretation connected to the context of Anne Frank’s experiences.
• Evidence of understanding how symbolism contributes to theme and emotional impact.
• Engagement in collaborative discussion and creative tasks.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Provide written extracts with varying complexity to cater for diverse reading levels.
• Use visual aids and multimedia to support comprehension.
• Allow students to express analysis through verbal presentations or art instead of written work if required.
• Scaffold group discussions with sentence starters and guiding questions for students needing additional support.

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Materials and Resources

• Copies of selected extracts from Anne Frank’s diary (teacher-selected, sensitive to appropriateness).
• Whiteboard / digital display for definitions and examples.
• Annotation tools (highlighters, sticky notes) or digital annotation software.
• Art materials/tablets for creative expression.
• Exit card templates or paper slips.

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Teacher Notes and Tips

• Prior to the lesson, preview diary extracts carefully to ensure suitability for Year 10 sensitivity and maturity.
• Emphasise the historical context briefly to ground students’ interpretations.
• Encourage critical thinking by probing varied interpretations of symbols.
• Connect the lesson to broader unit themes of resilience in adversity, reinforcing the voices of courage.

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This lesson plan exemplar incorporates key components from the NSW English Stage 5 curriculum, specifically fulfilling outcomes about reading, interpreting, and creating texts that engage with complex symbolic meaning and literary devices. The lesson’s scaffolded inquiry approach fosters critical engagement with a historically significant text, developing students’ analytical and creative skills as aligned with curriculum standards.