Each student will create a glyph (symbol or icon) which represents them and read the glyphs of others using a legend to understand the data on the glyphs.
Glyphs! by Susan R. O'Connell, (Good Apple)
Super Graphs, Venns & Glyphs by Honi Bamberger and Patricia Hughes (Scholastic)
Glyphs are a way of representing data pictorially. Time is needed after completing the glyph to interpret, analyze, and communicate the data.
Intended Learning Outcomes
5. Understand and use basic concepts and skills.
6. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written and nonverbal form.
Process Skills
Symbolization, observation, description, data collection and interpretation,
classification, form conclusions
Invitation to Learn
Let’s get to know the people in our class. We can do this by making a
T-shirt glyph.
Instructional Procedures
“Each of us will get a T-shirt pattern and record on it the information
about ourselves using a legend. Here is my T-shirt glyph.” Discuss your
glyph using the legend. Have the children make their own glyph as you read each
of the following steps.
Step 1: Color the neck pink for girls and blue for boys.
Step 2: Draw a large numeral to show your age.
Step 3: Color a pocket using your favorite color.
Step 4: Draw a picture to show your favorite season. (snowman = winter, flowers = spring, sun = summer, fall tree = autumn).
Step 5: Write your name at the bottom left on your T-shirt.
Possible Extensions/Adaptations
Make a T-shirt for a favorite storybook character, or a family member.
Sort the glyphs by boy/girl or any of the items on the legend. Look for any
two glyphs that are alike.
Discuss how the glyph represents us.
Make additional glyphs during the school year.
Family Connections
Add one stripe for each member of their family on the sleeve of the T-shirt.
Have the children make a glyph for their brother, sister, mother, and/or father.
After reading a book at home, have the children make a T-shirt glyph for a favorite character in a book.
Did the children enjoy the activity?
Could children read the information on the glyphs?
Did children understand and use the legend to find out information?