The octopus is a commonly used symbol in political cartoons. Help your scholars examine why it has been used in this way throughout history. Three cartoons depict different uses of the octopus. Background information helps gives context...

Students examine a variety of symbols important in American culture. They investigate the history of the Great Seal of the United States and the painting "The Spirit of 1776". They create an original seal and identify important monuments.

Students are divided into groups and follow directions of their group leaders and complete a worksheet while on site.

Here is great packet of worksheets to introduce your young learners to the general history of California and basic facts about the Golden State. Topics covered range from state counties, Sacramento, and the capitol to...

Help youngsters get to know their states and capitals, explore their own country, and study American symbolism. They take a "trip" across America collecting symbols, images, and information about each state as they go (through text and...

In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons regarding the symbolism of the octopus and respond to 3 talking point questions.

Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...

Young scholars take a virtual tour of the Capitol Visitors Center in Austin, Texas. In groups, they receive a list of the artifacts and symbols they are to look for during their exploration of the building. To end the lesson, they make...

Warm up the class with this political cartoon analysis. They use the provided guiding questions to analyze a cartoon depicting issues of debate regarding Federal debt. Critical thinking is a must with this worksheet.

Students research American symbols. In this American History lesson, students listen to the story The Wall and discuss the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They also listen to One Nation and research an American Symbol to create a...

Each state is entitled to two statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C. After reading about Utah's debate over whether or not Martha Hughes Cannon should be represented by one of their statues, individuals...

What does your class think about big business bailouts by the U.S. Government? Find out with this activity, where learners analyze a political cartoon comparing the "Big Three" automakers with the Greek Myth of Sisyphus. Background...

Students explore the power of images through political cartoons, particularly in light of the Danish caricatures of Muhammad that have incited violence around the world. They create their own original artwork to submit to an appropriate...

Even though a teacher using this resource might want to change some of the information in this presentation about U.S. symbols, it has elements that may not sit well with some people. Parts of it would be useful in a lower grade...

In The Hunger Games novel and movie, a futuristic, dystopian society is the setting. In it, a genetically engineered bird escapes control of the government. Using this as a starting point, teenagers examine the realistic possibility of...

Students explore U.S. geography by completing a coloring activity in class. In this Texas history lesson, students utilize the web to locate Texas on a map of the U.S. Students view a PowerPoint presentation which showcases the state...

Students create patriotic books about the United States and some of its special symbols.

One of the better PowerPoints I've come across is a "Jeopardy"-style game whose focus is South Carolina. Some excellent photographs and maps make the slides especially good. The "Final Jeopardy" clue is especially challenging. An...

Students go to the computer lab to engage in this thoughtful lesson on our national symbols. Students access the internet, and solve an on-line puzzle of a national symbol of freedom. The symbols are the Eagle, The Statue of Liberty, The...

High schoolers brainstorm a list of symbols that represent our cultural values. They research symbols of China and Japan. Students create a timeline showing how symbols have evolved in these two countries. They view the video "Showing...

Students examine pictures of the four flags Texas had had through history. They discuss similarities among the flags and they relate the flag as a patriotic symbol of Texas. Then they create their own flag incorporating a Lone Star...

Students visit the Texas Capitol Visitors Center. They review the importance of the Lone Star as a state symbol. They create a collage of Lone Stars using various print media (newspapers, magazines, travel literature and advertisements.)

Second graders explore the geography of Washington D.C. and President Bush's hometown of Crawford, Texas. They read the book, Diary of a Worm, determine the best route to go to Texas from Washington D.C., and throw a birthday party for...

In this current events learning exercise, learners analyze political cartoons about the 2006 American mid-term elections. Students then respond to 3 short answer questions.