What are some symbols that represent the United States of America?
SS.2.C.3.2
Recognize symbols, individuals, events, and documents that represent the United States.
LAFS.2.RF.4.4 – Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
LAFS.2.SL.1.2 – Recount of describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or
through other media.
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SS.2.C.3.2
Recognize symbols, individuals, events, and documents that represent the United States.
Correlated Florida Standards (See Full Text on Cover Page)
 LAFS.2.RF.4.4, LAFS.2.SL.1.2
Essential Question
What are some symbols that represent the United States of America?
Learning Goal/Objective
 Students will understand how four symbols represent the United States.
Overview
Students will read and summarize informational text in order to understand the main ideas of four symbols of
the United States.
Materials
 Pictures of American Symbols
 Access to: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/liberty-bell-1753
 American Symbols Facts! handout
Time
 15-20 minutes with additional time for extension activities
Activity Sequence
INTRODUCTION/HOOK
1. Ask students to define the term symbol. Lead students to the understanding that a symbol is
something that represents or stands for something else.
2. Project the Pictures of American Symbols.
3. Ask the students if they recognize these symbols.
4. Have them tell you which symbols they recognize and what they think they mean.
ACTIVITY
5. Explain to the students that these symbols represent the United States of America
6. Pass out the American Symbols Facts! handout to each student.
7. Project the Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government webpage on American symbols
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/liberty-bell-1753.
8. Explain to students that they will work as a whole class and in pairs to read informational text on the
four symbols. Teacher Note: Depending on the technology capabilities of your classroom, you can
either print the readings below or have students look at the website from their own device.
9. Begin with the American Flag by reading the passage aloud to the class.
10. Model for students how to find three facts from the text and instruct students to add these to their
handout.
11. Read the Statue of Liberty text aloud to the class.
12. Have students determine three facts they learned from the reading and review as a whole class.
13. Move students into pairs and instruct students to work with their partner to read the text on the White
House and Liberty Bell and write down three facts about each symbol.
CLOSURE
14. Review the facts for the White House and Liberty Bell as a whole class.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION SUGGESTIONS
1. Research additional symbols throughout the school year (such as: Independence Hall, the National
Anthem, and Bald Eagle).
2. Research one of the symbols and create a brochure for the symbol.
3. Research the history of each one of the symbols. Write an essay to explain the importance to the
United States of one of the symbols.
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American Flag
Statue of Liberty
The White House
Liberty Bell
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Name: _____________________________________________
Date:________________________
American Symbols Facts!
American Flag
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2. _________________________________________
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3. _________________________________________
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Statue of Liberty
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2. _________________________________________
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3. _________________________________________
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The White House
1. ________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________
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3. _________________________________________
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The Liberty Bell
1. ________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________
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3. _________________________________________
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American Symbols Facts! - Sample Answers
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American Flag
13 stripes that stand for the 13 original colonies.
50 white stars that stand for the 50 states in the
United States.
The flag has changed many times.
The current flag dates back to 1960 when Hawaii
became the 50th state.
The White House
The home and workplace of the president.
Located in Washington, D.C.
It was rebuilt after it was burned down by the British.
The president’s family lives at the White House.
The president’s office is called the Oval Office.
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Statue of Liberty
It is a symbol of freedom.
Located in New York City on Liberty Island.
It is a statue of a woman holding a torch and tablet.
The statue was a gift from France.
The Liberty Bell
The first bell was made for the Pennsylvania State
House (now known as Independence Hall).
The first bell was made in London.
A second bell was made from the first bell after it
cracked.
It was used as a symbol to outlaw slavery.
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Liberty Bell: 1753
The Liberty Bell is a well-known symbol of freedom in the United States.
The bell was first cast (made) in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, now
known as Independence Hall. The bell was cast (created) in London, England,
and shipped to Pennsylvania. Soon after it arrived, the bell cracked. In 1753, a
new bell was created from the same metal by John Pass and John Stow.
In the early 1800s, people who wanted to outlaw slavery called it the “Liberty
Bell” and used it as a symbol for their cause. In 1846, another crack began to
develop in the bell and it was repaired. It rang for George
Washington’s birthday in that same year, but then it
cracked again and has not been rung since. The bell
traveled around the country after the Civil War (18611865), and since 1915 it has stayed in Philadelphia. The
Liberty Bell is now on display in a visitor center next to
Independence Hall, where many people come to see it
each year.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/liberty-bell-1753/35-age-4/apprentice-symbols-of-us-government/88-statue-of-liberty-1886
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American Flag: 1777
The United States flag is a symbol of our Nation. It has 13 horizontal stripes that
stand for the 13 original colonies; seven are red, and six are white. In the upper
left corner there are 50 white stars on a blue background; these stand for the 50
states in our United States.
The first U.S. flag was designed in 1777, but the flag has been changed many
times since then. New stars were added
each time new states joined the Union.
The 50-star flag we use today dates from
July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the
50th state.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/the-american-flag
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White House: 1792
The White House is the name given to the official home and workplace of the
President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in
Washington, D.C. Every President except George Washington has lived there. It
was built between 1792 and 1800; in 1814, it was burned by the British army
when they invaded the city during the War of 1812.
After the war ended, the White House was rebuilt in the 1820’s and has been
expanded over the years. It has been redecorated on the inside and today is open
for public tours. The President’s family also lives in the White House.
The President’s office is called
the Oval Office because the
room is shaped like an oval. In
the Oval Office, the President
signs bills, meets with staff, and
hosts guests and visitors. The
furniture in the room may
change over the years, but one
of the most famous pieces is the
Resolute desk, which was a gift
from the British Queen Victoria
to President Hayes in 1880. It was made from the wood of a British ship.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/the-american-flag/35-age-4/apprentice-symbols-of-us-government/89-white-house-1792
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Statue of Liberty: 1886
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and is located in New York on
Liberty Island. It is a very tall statue of a woman holding a torch in her right hand
and a tablet with the date July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals in her left hand.
Her crown has seven points that represent rays of
light; the name for the statue is “Liberty
Enlightening the World.” There are broken
chains around her feet that also symbolize her
freedom.
The Statue was a gift from the people of France
to the United States. Planning for the statue was
started not long after slavery was abolished in the
United States, but the statue was not completely
assembled and dedicated until 1886.
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/the-american-flag/35-age-4/apprentice-symbols-of-us-government/88-statue-of-liberty-1886
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