symbolism+unit

A **symbol** is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. For example, a red octagon may stand for "STOP". A heart is a symbol for "Love". Numerals are symbols for numbers.
 * Symbolism** is the use of [|symbols] to represent things such as ideas and emotions.

In this unit we will explore a game called **"Loteria De Mi Tierra".** It is basically a bingo game. The object of the game is to get four in a row. A person will pull a card from the deck and show it to the players. If you have that card's image on your board piece, then you put a bean on that square. Once a player gets 4 in a row vertically, or horizontally, or diagonally, then that player wins.

However there is more to this game than just bingo. It also teaches language through vocabulary. More than that, it teaches symbolism. The symbols on the cards represent iconography from the Mexico and Chicano cultures. There are several versions and new editions to this game. Each version has a different depiction of the symbols in the game. Below is the original version but next to that are other versions.



Your assignment is to think critically about symbols in your local world. For example the Honduran flag, a soccer ball, machetes etc. We will use the format of the Loteria cards as a template. You will first sketch your symbol onto a piece of paper. Then you will paint it onto poster board. You will be graded on the following criteria:

1. creativeness of your symbol (must symbolize a concept from your world.) 2. craftsmanship 3. effort and participation