Teaching American History Grant
American Tapestry
Lesson Plan Template
Teacher: Virginia Catania
Nancy DeLucia
Grade: First
Second
Unit Topic: U.S. Symbols
History Essential Questions: How do the symbols representing America
contribute to the feeling of patriotism?
Standards of Learning:
History SOL:
The student will develop knowledge of patriotic symbols, develop an
understanding of the thought, feelings, and emotions they represent; and
develop a sense of national identity and patriotism.
Reading SOL:
The student will read about specific symbols for inquiry and apply
evaluative criteria to discover how they represent patriotism.
(1) The Students will increase their vocabulary by reading a variety of books
about the American symbols.
(2) Students will read, conduct research, write, and organize information on
the American symbols.
(3) Students will describe the American symbols using grade-level
vocabulary.
Lesson Objectives:
Content:
The student will recognize national symbols and icons such as the Flag, the
bald eagle, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, and the Pledge of Allegiance and
learn how they relate to patriotism.
Students will develop an appreciation for certain symbols, landmarks, songs
and poems to the democratic ideals they represent, such as the Statue of
Liberty representing fairness and justice, the American flag representing
liberty, and the Star Spangled Banner representing freedom.
Process:
The student will read several genres on the topic of U.S. symbols.
Students will compare meanings of symbols by viewing a Power Point and
discussing “everyday” symbols with a partner.
Students will recognize common meanings of symbols by creating a class list
of symbols and their meanings.
The student will discuss the importance of having symbols and their
relationships to promoting/establishing patriotism.
Materials:
Tradebooks:
Books: Harcourt Social Studies textbook / QuickReads level B
Transparency: PowerPoint activities: Attached
Liberty Bell.ppt
Our Flag.ppt
Symbols.ppt
http://americanhistory.pppst.com/symbols
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/symbols
www.texasire.org/asymbols/symbolsgame.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210627/
Handout: Comprehension Questions and Vocabulary Match worksheets
Primary Source Document: pictures of the: U.S. flag, the Constitution, the
Declaration of Independence, and the Bald Eagle, Statue of Liberty, Liberty
Bell and the Flag. Replicas of the: Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, and
the Flag.
www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/symbols-us/
Assessment/Evaluation:
The student will complete the comprehension worksheets with at least 80%
accuracy.
The student will complete an information flipbook about the national
patriotic symbols using the US Symbols Scoring Guide.
Lesson Procedure
Background Knowledge and Purpose Setting:
Introduce this set of lessons to students by explaining that a symbol is an
object that stands for something else. Inform them they are going to be
examining some famous American symbols. Explain that before we begin
exploring some of the common symbols that Americans cherish, we will look
at some common everyday symbols. After viewing a variety of pictures, have
students write down what they think each picture/ symbol stands for.
The class will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The teacher will explain to
students that the United States of America is a place that where people live.
Point out that the United States of America is sometimes called America or
the U.S. Locate the United States on a map or globe.
*Each U.S. symbol (the flag, bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty
Bell) will be presented in the format described below in separate lessons
Before Reading: The teacher will do a picture walk of the book with the
students reviewing key words that will be needed for the students to
comprehend the main ideas being presented. Students will make predictions
on what the symbols may stand for.
During Reading: The student will keep a list of words that are important in
the study of American Symbols and Patriotism.
After Reading: The student will review unknown vocabulary and
summarize the main points of interest. They will recognize and be familiar
with the significance of the Liberty Bell, the American flag, the Bald Eagle,
and the Statue of Liberty. They will share and discuss what was read and
what they interpreted it to mean.
Closure: The student will demonstrate their understanding of the U.S.
symbols by creating a flipbook of printed words and pictures.
Students will be able to complete an assessment of key vocabulary terms that
are relative to the understanding and knowledge of patriotic symbols,
national identity, and patriotism.
Extension/Differentiation:
The student could study and compare and contrast the Great Seal of the
United States and the Florida State Seal.
Students could create a class flag. They will decide what symbols and
colors will be used
Students could write a poem or musical rap about an American symbol.
Vocabulary Match
Match the definition with the correct vocabulary word
___ Liberty
A- an object that stands for something else
___ Immigrant
B- the state of being free
___ Pedestal
C- the base or support of a statue
___ Crown
D- to tell people something in public
___ Rays
E- freedom from the control of other people and things
___ Monument
F- a nickname for the American flag
___ Pride
G- freedom
___ Strength
H- a country or area under full or partial control of another country
___ Announce
___ Clapper
___ Colony
___ Copper
I- a forcible overthrow of a government
J- a reddish brown metal
K- a person leaving one country to live in another.
L- circular head piece worn by royalty
___ Freedom
M- a swinging piece of metal that makes a bell ring
___ Independence
N- points on the crown
___ Liberty
___ Allegiance
___ Citizen
___ Old Glory
___ Colonies
O- the right to live the way you want
P- a building, structure, or sight that is of historical or symbolic importance
Q- a person or thing that is an object of or source of a feeling or satisfaction
R- loyalty or commitment of an individual person to a group
___ Revolution
S- an inhabitant of a particular place
___ Colonist
T- a person who lives in a colony
___ Symbol
U- an area that has been settled by people from another country and is ruled by
another country
V- the influence or power possessed by a person, organization, or country
Comprehension Questions
Flag
U.S.
What three colors do you find on the American flag and
what do they represent?
Why are there 50 stars on the U.S. flag?
How do we show respect for the flag?
What do you feel when you see the flag? Why?
What year was the first American flag flown?
How was it different from today’s flag?
Comprehension Questions
Bell
Liberty
Where is the Liberty Bell located?
What does the Liberty Bell symbolize?
Why were so many Americans excited to be able to see the
Liberty Bell as it made its journey across the country?
What caused the first crack in the Liberty Bell?
Comprehension Questions
The Bald Eagle
Write T if the statement is true
F if the statement is false
___ The bald eagle is the national bird of the
United States.
___ The arrows that are held by the eagle
represent peace.
___ The Great Seal of the United States shows the bald
eagle holding 13 arrows in its mouth.
___ The 13 olive branches in the eagle’s talon
stand for the power of peace.
___ There are 13 arrows stand for the power
to make war.
Comprehension Questions
The Statue of Liberty
Another name for the Statue of Liberty is
___________________.
The Statue of Liberty is located in
___________________.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from
______________________.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of
__________________.
She holds a ___________ in one hand and a
_____________ in the other hand.
American Symbols Rubric
Primary Source Documents
http:// memory.loc.gov/cgibin/query/h?ammem/bdsbi
b:@field(NUMBER+@od
1(bdsdcc+02101))
Declaration of Independence
Constitution of the United States