Arkansas Symbols
Each of the states in the United States has symbols that
represent that state.
(Suitable for grades K thru 4)
Arkansas has its own set of symbols
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First, let’s look at the following:
state flag
tree
insect
beverage
• Can you guess any of them?
Kindergarten
Framework H.6.K.2: Identify state symbols of Arkansas
This is our state flag!
• The Arkansas flag is
red, white and blue
with a diamond in the
center.
Our state tree!
• The pine tree is our
state tree.
• Do you have a pine
tree in your
neighborhood?
State insect!
• There is a buzz that
the honey bee is our
state insect!
I am an Arkansas honey bee!
Yummy, milk is our state beverage!
and in
someone’s
tummy!
Review!
• Our state flag looks like
• The state tree is a
• Our state insect is the
• The Arkansas beverage is
Begin grade 1
Framework: H.6.l.2 Identify state symbols of Arkansas
The apple blossom is our state flower.
They bloom in the spring
Our state bird: the Mockingbird
• Listen to the
mockingbird sing!!
Pink tomato
• It is our state
fruit/vegetable.
• You can find them in
our state in the
summer.
The square dance is our state folk
dance.
• Have you watched anyone square dance? It is good
exercise!
State Instrument: the fiddle!
• It can also be called a violin.
Review!
• The state flower is the
• The bird of the state is the
• What is the official fruit/vegetable?
Review
• The state dance is the…
• What is the state instrument?
Grade 2
Framework H.6.2.2: Identify state symbols of Arkansas
The gem of Arkansas is the….
• Diamond!! You
cannot find these in a
box of Cracker Jacks!
The state mineral is quartz.
• Have you come
across quartz on a
walk before?
The Rock of Arkansas…
• is bauxite. It is used to make aluminum.
What do you think it looks like?
A white tailed deer is our state
mammal.
• They can been seenss in green belts or forests in the
state.
Arkansas is our state anthem
• Arkansas
by Mrs. Eva Ware Barnett
• Arkansas was published by the Central
Music Company in Little Rock, Arkansas, in
1916 by Eva Ware Barnett and Will M.
Ramsey. It became the first song designated
as the Official State Song of Arkansas when
the Arkansas General Assembly adopted it
by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6 on
January 12, 1917.
Review!
• The gem of Arkansas is the
• What is the state mineral?
• The state rock is ….
Review!
• Our state mammal is the
• The Arkansas anthem is (????????)
Third grade
• Framework: H.6.3.1: Research the history of the
Arkansas state flag
Arkansas state flag
Colors of the flag
• The Arkansas flag is red, white and blue just like the USA
flag. It represents that we are part of the union of states
called the United States of America!
The diamond
• The diamond in the center of the flag represents that we
are the only diamond producing state in the USA.
• Diamonds can be found at Murfreesboro in southern
Arkansas
Stars in the diamond
• The twenty five stars in the blue portion of the diamond
represent that Arkansas was the 25th state to join the
United States.
Stars
• The three stars
underneath the name,
Arkansas, represent
the state has been
part of three
countries: Spain,
France and the USA.
Also Arkansas was
the third state created
from the Louisiana
Purchase
Another star!
• The Star above the
name, Arkansas,
represents that the
state was once part of
the Confederate
States of America.
• The present flag was adopted
in 1913.
Review!
• What color(s) is the flag of Arkansas
• Why?
Review
• Why is there a diamond in the center of the Arkansas
flag?
• Why are there 25 stars in the blue portion of the
diamond?
• Why are there three stars below the word, Arkansas?
• Why is there one star above , “Arkansas”?
• When was our present flag adopted?
4th Grade
Arkansas state motto
Framework: 6.4.1: Discuss the meaning of the state motto of
Arkansas
What is a motto?
• According to the Merriam Webster online dictionary, it is
“a short expression of a guiding principle”
• State mottoes may be said to reflect the character and
beliefs of the citizens of the state, or more accurately, the
citizens of the state when they were adopted. State
mottoes can help us gain insight into the history of a
state.
Motto: Regnat Populus
• The People rule! Is the translation of this Latin phrase
• The motto was first adopted as a part of the official seal
in 1864 and then updated in 1907.
• What does it mean that the people rule?
4th Grade
Arkansas state seal
• Framework: H.6.4.2: Examine the history of the State
Seal of Arkansas and its components.
The Arkansas State Seal
Why do we have a Seal?
• Placing the official Seal of Arkansas on documents
signifies or shows that the document is
authentic/genuine.
• Originally the seal was embossed in sealing wax but at
present the seal is usually embossed on the document or
a “foil” replica of the seal is placed on the document.
History of the Arkansas State
Seal
• The history of the seal began in territorial Arkansas
• Samuel Calhoun Roane designed and drew it
in 1820
The seal was adopted in 1836 when
Arkansas became a state. Only the
wording changed.
-some changes occurred in 1856
History of the state seal
• In 1864 the legislature adopted a new design that is still
in use today
• A change was made in 1907 to modify the motto somewhat
• The motto changed from Regnat Populi (peoples rule) to
Regnat Populus (people rule)
Law states that the seal must
include certain symbols
• An eagle at the bottom holding a scroll with the motto
printed on it
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A bundle of arrows in one claw
An olive branch in the other claw
A shield covering the eagle’s breast
The shield is engraved with a steamboat, a beehive, a plow
and a sheaf of wheat
Symbols of the state seal
• At the top of the seal is the Goddess of Liberty
• She holds a wreath in her right hand
• She holds a pole in her left hand with the liberty cap on top
• She is surrounded by a circle of stars
• The stars are surrounded by a circle of rays
Symbols of the State Seal
• On the left of the seal is a figure of an angel which
represents “mercy”.
• On the right of the seal is a sword that is labeled as
“justice”.
• Around the outside circle of the seal the words, “Great
Seal of the State of Arkansas” is enscribed.
The Great Seal of Arkansas
Review!
• Why do we have a “Great Seal of Arkansas”?
• How is the “Great Seal” placed on state documents?
• What is the motto that is placed on the seal? Translated,
what does it mean?
• What type of bird appears on the seal?
• What goddess is at the top of the seal?
More Review!
• The angel on the seal represents what?
• Justice is symbolized by what object?
Sources
• http://ideas.aetn.org/edw
eb/arregions/1_lp/Arkans
as%20State%20Symbol
s%20Lesson.pdf This
site has lesson plans
and additional power
points. Listed under 2nd
grade, there is a section
on teacher notes for
state symbols.
• http://www.sos.arkansas.
gov/education.html is a
site from the Secretary of
State’s office which
has educational
resources on state
symbols.
• http://www.EnchantedLe
arning.com has great
info on each of the 50
states
Sources
• http://encyclopediaofarkansas.net is an excellent source
for the symbols, motto and seal.