Patriotic Symbols and Practices
Session 3: Symbols

Materials

• Picture or drawing of a traffic light
• American flag
• White construction paper, cut into shapes of coats of arms (one per student, plus a few extras in case of errors)
• Markers or crayons
  

1. Display a picture of a traffic light, or draw one on the board. Discuss the meaning of each color. Ask students how we know the meanings of the colors, since there are no words to involved. Explain that the color green is a symbol for “go.” Introduce the word symbol: something that represents something else.

2. Discuss other symbols found in the community or world. Bring in magazines that students can use to locate and cut out symbols. Have them make a collage of popular symbols.
   
   
3. As a reminder, ask students what symbol is associated with the Pledge of Allegiance. Remind them that the American flag is also a symbol of our country.
   
   
4. Create and display a model of your “personal” coat of arms. Explain that a coat of arms is a symbol that represents a family or other group. Explain that you used pictures as symbols to represent things about yourself (Examples: books — because you like to read; an apple — because it’s your favorite fruit; a paintbrush — because you enjoy art; an American flag — because you are proud to be an American).
   
   
5. Pass out a blank coat of arms to each student. Have students create a coat of arms to represent themselves. Have them use pictures to symbolize things that are meaningful to them or things they associate with themselves. Some ideas they may wish to use are a favorite food, sport, place, or hobby, something they like to do at home, something they like about school. Remind them that they cannot use any words.
   
   
6. After students are done, have them share coats of arms with one another. They may interpret each other’s symbols.