National Symbols
Session 1: Introduction to American Symbols

Materials

• Teacher-selected books about America and its symbols
• Construction paper
• Markers
• Teacher-created pictures (or black line masters) of the American symbols mentioned in today’s story
• Pocket chart to display American symbols
• Sentence strips

Instructional Activities

1. Cut pictures from magazines, advertisements, and old books showing American symbols and post on a bulletin board. Be sure to include pictures of the American flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the President of the United States. As the unit progresses, encourage students to add additional pictures to the display.
   
   
2. Before reading the selected book aloud, engage the students in a discussion that draws on their background knowledge of American symbols such as the American flag.
   
   
3. Have students predict what they think the book will be about based on the cover and a preview of the illustrations.
   
   
4. While reading the book, stop and ask the students where they have seen these American symbols. Make a chart of the student responses.
   
   
5. In this activity, the students will listen to a story that shows clear examples and descriptions of a few American symbols. The students will be asked to identify symbols as well as assist the teacher with labeling them during the lesson.
   
   
6. Begin by reading the teacher-selected book about American symbols. Ask the students what they notice about each symbol, paying special attention to color, shape, and size.
   
   
7. Use the following Web site resources to expand student knowledge of American symbols.
   •    “American Icons.” <http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/AmericanIcons/AmericanIconIndex.htm> 
   •    “Symbols of United States Government.”   
   <http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/symbols/index.html>
   
   
8. After reading the book, show students the teacher-created American symbols. Ask students to help label each symbol. As students supply the correct label, write the name of the symbol on the sentence strip.  Place both the sentence strip and the symbol in the pocket chart.
   
   
9. After symbols have been labeled, distribute construction paper.  Ask students to choose their favorite symbol. Have the students draw or cut out a picture of this symbol and label it on their piece of construction paper.
   
   
10. Share these responses with the class.