Social Studies Lesson

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Social Studies Lesson
By Heather Kirchner
Ed 417
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National Symbols
Third Grade
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Objectives
The third grade students will be able to do
the following

• Vocabulary words are defined and spelled
  correctly.
• Team members contribute two examples of symbols
  to the brainstorm activity.
• Correctly answer the five questions.
• The Independence Day presentation shows clear
  understanding of the meaning of symbols.
• 5. Pass the quiz about American symbols with an
  80 or better.

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Materials Needed

• Pictures of American Flags or flags
• Star Spangled Banner (audio and lyrics)
• Calendar with national holidays
• Pictures of national monuments
• Art supplies
• Audio recorder
• Dictionaries
• Encyclopedias
• Resource books
• Computer

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Web Sites

• http//www.icss.com/usflag/
• http//www.bcpl.lib.md.us/etowner/anthem.html
• 3. http//www.allstates-flag.com/flags/gb.html
• http//www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/july4/why.html
• http//homeschooling.about.com/education/homescho0
  oling/library/bljul4a3.htm
• http//milkman.cac.psu.edu/cooper/TourOfDC/monume
  nts/washington-monument.html

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Activity 1 Vocabulary List
Activity 2 Group Time/Brainstorm Flag Group
Anthem Group
Holiday Group
Monument Group
Activity 3 American Flags
Activity 4 National Anthem
Activity 5 National Holidays
Activity 6 National Monuments
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Activity 1 Vocabulary List
independent
celebrate
original
statue
colonies
monument
symbols
current
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Vocabulary
Please define the words that are given to you.
These words will be your spelling words also.
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Activity 2 Group Time/Brainstorming
Brainstorm all the things which you might think
are symbols.
Remember Symbols can be anything which remind
you of a group. Any group who share an identity
usually have their own symbols.
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Symbols could be
Countries
Schools
Cities or towns
Businesses
Religious groups
Sports teams
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Remember symbols can be songs, places,
traditions, logos/pictures, or holidays. As you
brainstorm, think of these questions.
What things make me think about America?
What songs make me feel American?
What places remind me of America?
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Activity 3 American Flags
The flag has 13 stripes
Seven are red and six are white. They represent
the 13 original colonies that made up the United
States.
There is also 50 white stars on a blue
background. They represent the 50 states that
make up the United States.
The first flag was designed in 1777 and has
changed many times since then.
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Class Flag
Design our class flag
What would you like our class flag to look
like? What are some symbols you would put on the
flag? What colors are you going to use? What
pictures might you put on it?
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Activity 4 National Anthem
Just like the American flag reminds us of America
and being American, songs can do the same thing.
Some songs officially represent the country by
law and these are called anthems.
Other patriotic songs are not official but still
remind people of a country.
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Our National Anthem
By Francis Scott Key
Oh, say can you see, by the dawns early
light, What so proudly we hailed at the
twilights last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and
bright stars, thro the perilous fight Oer the
ramparts we watched, were so gallantly
streaming. And the rockets red glare, the bombs
bursting in air, Gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that
star-spangled banner yet wave Oer the land of
the free and the home of the brave?
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National Anthem
What is the name of our national anthem?
Who wrote our national anthem?
What does the song remind you of?
What story does the song tell?
Why do you think this song is so special to us?
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You need to create an anthem or a patriotic song.
As a group, think of a story you might want your
song to tell.
What kinds of instruments will you use? Think of
a simple tune that everyone knows.
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Activity 5 National Holidays
Holidays are symbols too. Besides no school,
holidays are important ways we remember something
special.
Holidays usually mark something which happened on
that very same day in history.
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National Holidays
Can you think of a day which is important to you?
What day do we celebrate Americas Birthday?
Can you name another American holiday?
Why is that holiday important to America?
What are some things we do to celebrate holidays?
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Pick your own Holiday
What day will it be on?
What is the name of your holiday?
How will you celebrate your holiday? Will you
have a parade, picnic or something else?
What kinds of things will people do to celebrate?
What should everyone wear?
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Activity 6 National Monuments
Have you ever seen a statue and thought to
yourself, who was this person?
Why do people make statues?
Have you ever been to a famous building, place,
or a wall with lots of names on it?
Why are those monuments important?
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National Monuments
The Statue of Liberty is located in New York and
it symbolizes freedom. It was a gift from France.
She holds a torch which represents liberty.
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National Monuments
The White House is the home of the president of
the United States.
Every president except for George Washington has
lived there.
This is where the president does most of his
business. He signs bills, and meets with his
staff and visitors.
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Create your own monument
Think about what you want your monument to be.
You can either build something or draw a picture.
You may use clay, play dough, Popsicle sticks,
or anything else you can think of.
Use your Imagination!!!!
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THE END!!!!!