Visually locating symbols is generally easier than reading in between the lines to find them. Assign each student or group of students a different picture book, such as "Fly Away Home" by Eve Bunting or "The Yellow Star" by Carmen Agra Deedy. Ask the students to make a list of the symbols they find in the story and what they mean. The students can share their findings with the rest of the class.
Once students have a firm grasp on how symbolism appears in picture books, have them create their own picture book. Assign a topic or theme or allow the students to come up with their own. Depending on the level of the students, give them a certain number of symbols to create in their story. Have them share their stories with the class and explain how symbolism operates in the tale.
This activity is appropriate for more advanced students. Have students find examples of symbolism in picture books as well as other visual examples of symbolism. For example, they might bring in photographs of a Chinese symbol or of their zodiac sign. As a class, brainstorm a list of ways that all of these symbols are both different and similar. Examine their various functions. Explain to the class how all of these different types of symbols could operate in a written work.
Use picture books to explain to students how symbolism is connected to other elements in a story. For example, ask them how a particular symbol is related to the characterization of a particular person in the story, how it functions to set the scene or how the symbol contributes to the theme of the story. Have them answer these questions for several symbols before they apply this concept to a novel or other lengthy written piece.