Personal Symbolism Sketches

Overview

In this 30-minute lesson, Year 6 students will express their understanding of Marian symbolism by creating personal sketches. This creative activity will encourage the exploration of symbolic elements associated with Mary, supporting their interpretation and artistic expression. The lesson integrates the values and key competencies of the New Zealand Curriculum, emphasising creativity, critical thinking, and respectful engagement with cultural and religious ideas.

Curriculum Links

Religious Education Context (Aligned with The New Zealand Curriculum Framework):

• Although Religious Education itself is not a mandated learning area in The New Zealand Curriculum, it is commonly integrated within The Arts and Social Sciences learning areas, respecting cultural perspectives including Christian traditions.
• Values: Encouraging Respect, Diversity, and Community and Participation.
• Key Competencies: Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts, Managing self, and Participating and contributing.
• Learning Areas relevant for this unit:
  • The Arts – Visual Arts (Developing ideas, communicating feelings and stories through visual language)
  • English (Speaking, Listening, and Interpreting to discuss symbolism)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand and recall key symbols associated with Mary discussed in earlier lessons (e.g., the lily, the colour blue, the crown).
• Express their personal interpretation of Marian symbolism through their own artistic sketches.
• Demonstrate creativity and originality in combining symbols to convey meaning.
• Reflect on the cultural and religious significance of symbols with respect and sensitivity.

Aligned with NZC Capabilities and Competencies:

• Thinking: Critically reflecting on symbolism meanings.
• Using language, symbols, and texts: Creating and interpreting visual symbols.
• Managing self: Planning and focusing on their creative task independently.
• Participating and contributing: Sharing ideas respectfully when discussing symbols and creativity.

Resources Needed

• Sketch paper (A4 size)
• Pencils, coloured pencils, markers, crayons
• Examples/images of Marian symbols (previously introduced), e.g., image cards or projector slides
• Reflection prompt cards (optional)
• Visual vocabulary chart with symbol names and meanings for reference

Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description
0–5 mins	Introduction and Recap	Brief teacher-led discussion to recall Marian symbols explored in past lessons. Use visual stimuli (e.g., symbol images) to refresh memory and stimulate thinking about what each symbol represents. Check understanding through directed questions.
5–7 mins	Set the Task	Explain that students will create their own sketches incorporating symbols of Mary. Emphasise personal interpretation — encourage originality and creativity beyond simply copying images. Clarify expectations around respectful understanding of the cultural context.
7–25 mins	Sketching Activity	Students work independently or in pairs to create their personal symbolic sketches. Teachers circulate to guide, support symbol interpretation, and scaffold thinking using prompts (e.g., “What feelings does this symbol express to you?”).
25–30 mins	Sharing and Reflection	Facilitate a gallery walk or sharing circle where students briefly explain their sketch and the personal meaning behind chosen symbols. Prompt students to listen respectfully and acknowledge diversity of interpretations. Conclude with a reflective question: “How can symbols help us tell stories or express ideas?”

Differentiation

• Support students who need help by providing symbol template outlines or pairing them with peers for discussion.
• Challenge more able students to think about combining multiple symbols to create deeper meaning or tell a story through their visual work.
• Use sentence stems or question prompts to scaffold verbal sharing for EAL learners or those developing language skills, e.g., “I chose this symbol because…”, “This symbol means to me…”.

Assessment & Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation during discussions and sketching, noting student understanding of symbols used.
• Evaluate students’ ability to use symbolism to express ideas and their engagement with cultural respect.
• Provide specific, positive feedback on creativity and thoughtful interpretation.
• Use student reflections shared during the closing activity to assess their ability to connect symbols with personal meaning and cultural ideas.

Teacher Reflection

After the lesson, reflect on:

• How effectively students connected with and understood Marian symbolism.
• The creativity and diversity of interpretations expressed.
• The success of scaffolding strategies and supports used.
• Opportunities for integrating this symbolic understanding across other curriculum areas and upcoming lessons in the unit.

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This lesson plan weaves together the NZC competencies and values through a culturally respectful, creative task, fostering critical and imaginative thinking within the students' personal and social learning journey. It builds on prior knowledge and provides space for students to confidently express their understandings of Marian symbolism in a personal and meaningful way, as aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum's emphasis on holistic development, engagement, and identity building .