Objective: Interpret the meaning suggested in visual media through a
focus on visual elements, for example, line, symbols, color, gaze,
framing, and social distance.
Subject: Finding Meaning in Visual Media
Grade Level: Grade 6
Learning across curriculum:
1. English - Analyzing visual elements in advertisements
2. Social Studies - Interpreting political cartoons
3. Science - Analyzing infographics and data visualizations
Review Motivation:
1. Show a short video clip that uses visual elements to convey a message and ask
students to discuss what they think the message is.
2. Display a series of images and ask students to identify the visual elements
present in each image and explain their significance.
3. Play a game where students have to guess the meaning behind different symbols
commonly used in visual media.
Activity 1: Analyzing Advertisements
Materials: Various print or digital advertisements, paper, pens/pencils
Instructions:
1. Divide the students into small groups.
2. Provide each group with a different advertisement.
3. In their groups, students should analyze the advertisement and identify the visual
elements present (e.g., line, symbols, color, gaze, framing, social distance).
4. Students should discuss and interpret the meaning suggested by the visual
elements.
5. Each group presents their analysis to the class.
Rubric:
- Identification of visual elements: 3 points
- Interpretation of meaning: 5 points
Assessment questions:
1. Which visual element in the advertisement do you think is the most significant in
conveying the message? Why?
2. How did the visual elements used in the advertisement affect your understanding
of the product or message?
Activity 2: Interpreting Political Cartoons
Materials: Various political cartoons, paper, pens/pencils
Instructions:
1. Show the students a selection of political cartoons.
2. Discuss the purpose and characteristics of political cartoons.
3. In pairs, students should choose one cartoon and analyze the visual elements
used.
4. Students should interpret the meaning suggested by the visual elements and
explain the message conveyed.
5. Each pair presents their analysis to the class.
Rubric:
- Analysis of visual elements: 4 points
- Interpretation of meaning: 4 points
Assessment questions:
1. How did the visual elements in the political cartoon contribute to the overall
message or critique?
2. What social or political issues do you think the cartoonist was addressing through
the visual elements?
Activity 3: Analyzing Infographics and Data Visualizations
Materials: Various infographics and data visualizations, paper, pens/pencils
Instructions:
1. Show the students a variety of infographics and data visualizations.
2. Discuss the purpose and characteristics of infographics and data visualizations.
3. In small groups, students should choose one infographic or data visualization and
analyze the visual elements used.
4. Students should interpret the meaning suggested by the visual elements and
explain the information conveyed.
5. Each group presents their analysis to the class.
Rubric:
- Analysis of visual elements: 4 points
- Interpretation of meaning: 4 points
Assessment questions:
1. How do the visual elements in the infographic or data visualization help you
understand the information presented?
2. What visual elements would you change or add to make the infographic or data
visualization more effective?
Analysis:
In each activity, students were able to identify and analyze the visual elements
present in different forms of visual media. They also successfully interpreted the
meaning suggested by the visual elements, demonstrating their understanding of
how visual elements contribute to the overall message or information conveyed.
Abstraction:
Students have learned how to critically analyze visual media and interpret the
meaning suggested by visual elements. They have developed an understanding of
how line, symbols, color, gaze, framing, and social distance can contribute to the
overall message or information presented in visual media.
Application:
Give the students a real-life problem that is related to the objective:
Students are tasked with creating their own visual media (e.g., advertisement,
political cartoon, infographic) that effectively uses visual elements to convey a
specific message or information. They should apply their understanding of the visual
elements and their meaning to create a visually impactful and meaningful piece.
Assessment:
Teachers can assess the learning of the students based on the learning
objectives by:
- Reviewing and evaluating the group presentations in each activity using the rubrics
provided.
- Asking students to write a reflection on their understanding of visual elements and
their significance in visual media.
Assignment:
Create a visual media (advertisement, political cartoon, or infographic) that
effectively uses visual elements to convey a specific message or information. Write a
short explanation of the visual elements used and their intended meaning.
