Grade 1 - Early world Civilizations

Early World Civilizations: Supplemental Guide 2A | Writing in Mesopotamia 49

Word Work: Symbols 5 minutes

1. In the read-aloud you heard, “Wedge-shaped symbols were
   pressed into the clay.”


2. Say the word symbols with me.


3. Symbols are things, like shapes, marks, or even pictures,
   which stand for something else.


4. Question marks are symbols that are sometimes used at the
   end of sentences.


5. Can you think of any other symbols that you have seen?
   Perhaps there are some right here in the classroom. Try to use
   the word symbols when you tell about it. [Ask two or three
   students. If necessary, guide and/or rephrase the students’
   responses: “ are symbols for... ”]


6. What’s the word we’ve been talking about?
   Use a Making Choices activity for follow-up. Directions: I will read
   several sentences to you. If the sentence describes a symbol, you
   should say, “That is a symbol.” If it does not describe a symbol,
   you should say, “That is not a symbol.”


7. The red traffi c light tells the cars to stop. (That is a symbol.)


8. The letters I write stand for sounds. (That is a symbol.)


9. My sister Mara is very pretty. (That is not a symbol.)


10. The weather reporter shows a picture of a sun to tell viewers
    that it will be a sunny day. (That is a symbol.)


11. My dog’s name is Gunther. (That is not a symbol.)

 Complete Remainder of the Lesson Later in the Day