K12 Reader
National Symbols
What are the most prominent symbols of the United States? Learn about the bald eagle, the American flag, and the Statue of Liberty in a reading comprehension activity that includes a short passage and five reflective questions.
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "A New National Anthem" by Ada Limón
Ada Limon's poem, "A New National Anthem," offers young scholars an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the US national anthem and the extent to which Key's vision applies to all Americans. After watching a video of Whitney...
Curated OER
Our National Symbol
Students identify the bald eagle as the national symbol of the United States and explain what the symbol represents. They work to create their own symbol and explain why their created symbol is an appropriate representation of the United...
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League of Nations
What is the League of Nations, when did it begin, and what is it's purpose? Young political minds can explore the answers to these questions through political cartoon analysis. Included are several political cartoons, an analysis...
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Discovering American Symbols
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...
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Symbols of the World, Country and State
First graders understand what a symbol is and recognize symbols of the world, country, state, and local areas. For this symbols lesson, 1st graders identify symbols, and play a bingo game with traffic symbols. Students study the...
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US Patriotic Symbols: The North American Bald Eagle
Young scholars research the North American bald eagle to determine if this bird's characteristics make it an appropriate symbol to represent the United States as a country. They debate the substitution of other bird species for the eagle.
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Stop Signs, Musical Notes, Letters & Logos: Designing Symbols
Learners develop an awareness of environmental print, such as signs, logos, brand names, and other print and non-print items that the children see and read in their neighborhood each day. They then engage in active problem solving as...
Penguin Books
An Educator Guide to Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
Call Us By What We Carry, a poetry collection by Nation Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, is the focus of a 10-page teacher's guide.
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Fahrenheit 451 Symbol & Test Review
Although the second page of this two-page sheet probably won't benefit you much (considering you won't have the materials referenced), you could still use the first page to assess your class's understanding of the symbols used in...
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Freedom Quilt
First graders create pieces of a classroom quilt after they explore a specific national symbol.
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The Value of a Nation's Currency Goes Beyond its Price
Sixth graders understand the meaning of pictures and words on currency. In this currency lesson, 6th graders examine currency to find cultural relationships with a country. Students locate symbols of the country on the currency. Students...
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Silent Symbols Speak Loudly: Icons, Brands & You
Learners view and discuss visual symbols around them every day, analyze symbols on United States one dollar bill, explore variety of meanings of same symbols depending on context and culture, and create their own money with symbols that...
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The United States Flag
Students discover the meaning and symbolism behind the American flag. In this lesson on National symbols, students design a flag for their school, explain the symbolism they used, and distinguish the elements that constitute the US Flag....
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Patriotic Symbols
Third graders recognize patriotic symbols and why they are important. In this loyalty lesson, 3rd graders understand how the symbols of our country helps us show our loyalty to it. Students define words in the pledge of allegiance and...
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Dance Integration With Social Studies
Have your class learn through movement. Learners study patriotic symbols through dance. They listen to spoken words and portray the story. They practice using space, and arm and leg movements to tell the story. What a creative way to...
US National Archives
The Royal Seal What Can It Tell Us?
Analyze the images and details of the Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth I, and discover clues that reveal how one of the greatest monarchs in the history of England wished to be seen and respected. This is a great way to discuss how even to...
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Documents and Symbols and American Freedom
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...
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Cartoons in the Classroom: The Stimulus Package
A large pig labeled "Stimulus Package" wrapped in an American flag is the primary image on this political cartoon. Ready for analysis, this worksheet provides learners with the opportunity to understand the pros and cons of US spending...
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Hazardous Products Substitutes
Third graders write a hazardous products substitutes recipe book. For this Science lesson, 3rd graders identify words and symbols that indicate hazardous substances. Students investigate safe substitutes and write a recipe book to use at...
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Comics for the Classroom: Addicted to Spending
Political comics can be a great way to get kids thinking critically about current political topics. They assess this cartoon and analyze how the cartoonist feels about US spending policy. There are three solid critical analysis questions...
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Reading a Local and National Weather Map
Students practice reading a national and local weather map. Using this information, they work together to make predictions about the weather for the next few days. They discuss the use of symbols and maps as a class and discuss how...
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Cartoon Analysis Worksheet Key National Bank
For this primary source analysis worksheet, students examine a political cartoon about the American National Bank and then respond to 10 analysis questions about the cartoons they select. The cartoon is not included and answers to each...
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The Value of a Nation's Currency Goes Beyond Its Price
Sixth graders explore the connection between a nation's currency and its values by analyzing dollars, francs and euros. They discuss how the mottoes, designs, and portraits imprinted on currency are a reflection of heritage and cultural...