Social Studies Lesson
By Heather Kirchner
Ed 417
National Symbols
Third Grade
Objectives:
The third grade students will be able to do
the following:
1. Vocabulary words are defined and
spelled correctly.
2. Team members contribute two examples
of symbols to the brainstorm activity.
3. Correctly answer the five questions.
4. The Independence Day presentation
shows clear understanding of the
meaning of symbols.
5. Pass the quiz about American symbols
with an 80% or better.
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
Web Sites:
1. http://www.icss.com/usflag/
2. http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~etowner/anthem.html
3. http://www.allstates-flag.com/flags/gb.html
4. http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/july4/why.html
5. http://homeschooling.about.com/education/homescho0oling/
library/bljul4a3.htm
6. http://milkman.cac.psu.edu/~cooper/TourOfDC/monuments
/washington-monument.html
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
Activity #1: Vocabulary List
independent
celebrate
original
statue
colonies
monument
symbols
current
Vocabulary:
Please define the words that
are given to you. These words
will be your spelling words also.
Activity #2 Group Time/Brainstorming:
Brainstorm all the
things which you
Remember: Symbols can be
might think are
anything
which
remind
you
symbols.
of a group. Any group who
share an identity usually
have their own symbols.
Symbols could be:
Countries
Schools
Cities or towns
Religious groups
Sports teams
Businesses
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?
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.
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?
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.
Our National Anthem
By Francis Scott Key
“Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous
fight;
O’er 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
O’er the land of the free and the home
of the brave?”
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?
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.
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.
National Holidays
Can you think of a day which is important
to you?
What day do we celebrate America’s Birthday?
Can you name another American holiday?
Why is that holiday important to America?
What are some things we do to celebrate
holidays?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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!!!!
THE END!!!!!