Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify objects that are important symbols for the characters or bigger ideas, and support their choices with details from the text.
The example below uses the Persephone Abduction myth, but many Greek myths that attempt to explain something have important symbols.
Symbols to Look For and Discuss in the Myth of Hades and Persephone
Pomegranate
The pomegranate is a symbol for life and abundance, but also for death. The many seeds show the capability of new life & new growth. However, the pomegranate seems to bleed if it is cut, and it is the one thing that ties Persephone to the world of the dead.
Winter
Winter represents the time that Persephone spends in the Underworld. The living world seems suspended because the plants "die", the weather becomes harsh, and the days are shorter and darker.
Spring
Spring is Persephone's time. She returns from the Underworld and is reunited with her mother. Days become longer and warmer, plants come alive, and animals become active.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important symbols in the story of Persephone.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify important symbols in the story.
- Describe how the symbols are important to the story.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate images, scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Symbols | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. | Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the symbols and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the symbols, and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for symbols are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify objects that are important symbols for the characters or bigger ideas, and support their choices with details from the text.
The example below uses the Persephone Abduction myth, but many Greek myths that attempt to explain something have important symbols.
Symbols to Look For and Discuss in the Myth of Hades and Persephone
Pomegranate
The pomegranate is a symbol for life and abundance, but also for death. The many seeds show the capability of new life & new growth. However, the pomegranate seems to bleed if it is cut, and it is the one thing that ties Persephone to the world of the dead.
Winter
Winter represents the time that Persephone spends in the Underworld. The living world seems suspended because the plants "die", the weather becomes harsh, and the days are shorter and darker.
Spring
Spring is Persephone's time. She returns from the Underworld and is reunited with her mother. Days become longer and warmer, plants come alive, and animals become active.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important symbols in the story of Persephone.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify important symbols in the story.
- Describe how the symbols are important to the story.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate images, scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Symbols | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. | Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the symbols and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the symbols, and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for symbols are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How Tos about Symbols of Persephone
Plan a class discussion around Greek myth symbols
Start by selecting key symbols from the Persephone myth, like the pomegranate and changing seasons. Ask open-ended questions to prompt students to think about what each symbol might represent. Encourage participation by inviting students to share personal interpretations and connect symbols to modern life.
Guide students to brainstorm additional symbols
Invite your class to identify other objects or motifs in the story that could be symbolic, such as flowers, darkness, or light. List ideas on the board and discuss why these might have meaning in the context of the myth.
Assign small groups to research and present one symbol each
Divide students into small groups and assign each group a different symbol from the myth. Have them research its meaning using books or reliable online sources, then prepare a short presentation with visuals or drawings.
Facilitate a creative activity connecting symbols to students’ lives
Ask students to choose a symbol from the Persephone myth and create their own story, poem, or artwork showing how that symbol could appear in their own life or culture. Share and discuss these creations with the class to deepen understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Symbols of Persephone
What are the main symbols in the myth of Persephone?
The main symbols in the myth of Persephone are the pomegranate, which represents both life and death, winter symbolizing Persephone's time in the Underworld, and spring marking her return to the living world. Each symbol reflects deeper themes of change, growth, and the cycle of nature.
How can students create a storyboard for the Persephone myth?
Students can create a storyboard by using a provided template to identify and illustrate important symbols from the Persephone myth. They should describe each symbol's meaning, show its role in the story, and use images or scenes to visually represent key moments.
Why is the pomegranate important in the Persephone story?
The pomegranate is crucial because it ties Persephone to the Underworld. Its many seeds symbolize new life and growth, but eating it binds Persephone to Hades, reflecting the dual themes of life and death in the myth.
What does winter represent in the myth of Hades and Persephone?
Winter represents the period when Persephone is in the Underworld. During this time, the earth grows cold and barren, reflecting Demeter's grief and making winter a symbol of loss and waiting.
What grade levels is the Persephone symbols storyboard activity best for?
This activity is best suited for grades 6-12. It encourages middle and high school students to explore Greek mythology through symbols, themes, and creative thinking.
More Storyboard That Activities
Greek Mythology: Explanation Stories
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