New
New
Symbolism and stories in art, craft and design
I can investigate an artwork to find symbols and interpret their possible meaning.
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 6
Symbolism and stories in art, craft and design
I can investigate an artwork to find symbols and interpret their possible meaning.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Artists use symbols to share stories and meanings without words.
- Symbols often carry layered or multiple meanings, and different cultures use symbols for similar or different ideas.
- We can analyse artworks by identifying symbols and interpreting their meanings.
Keywords
Symbol - an object, shape, or image that stands for or represents an idea or meaning
Symbolism - the use of symbols to communicate ideas, emotions, or stories in art
Interpretation - how we explain or find meaning in what we see
Culture - the shared ideas, customs, and art of a group of people
Common misconception
A symbol has only one meaning for everyone.
Symbols can mean different things in different cultures or to different people.
Model thinking aloud when analysing symbols. Ask open questions like “What do you see?” and “What could it mean?” to encourage exploration and avoid shutting down imaginative or culturally diverse interpretations.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Pencils, coloured pencils, erasers.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a symbol in art?
What is a symbol in art?
a type of paint
a brushstroke
a colour palette
Q2.What does blending mean when using colouring pencils or paint?
What does blending mean when using colouring pencils or paint?
drawing outlines
painting in straight lines
rubbing out mistakes
Q3.Match the word to what it describes.
Match the word to what it describes.
Q4.Match the material to its best use.
Match the material to its best use.
Q5.Put these painting actions in the correct order.
Put these painting actions in the correct order.
Q6.What do you call a quick, rough drawing?
What do you call a quick, rough drawing?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does symbolism mean in art?
What does symbolism mean in art?
painting with bright colours
drawing only animals
copying other artists
Q2.Which of these is an example of cultural symbolism?
Which of these is an example of cultural symbolism?
a plain line
a circle as a shape
a random squiggle
Q3.What kind of symbols did Frida Kahlo use in her paintings?
What kind of symbols did Frida Kahlo use in her paintings?
only animals from Africa
modern machines and cars
abstract shapes and colours only
Q4.Match the symbol to its common meaning.
Match the symbol to its common meaning.
Q5.Put these steps in the right order for interpreting an artwork.
Put these steps in the right order for interpreting an artwork.
Q6.What word describes how you understand the meaning of an artwork?
What word describes how you understand the meaning of an artwork?
