Symbols Here, Symbols There, Symbols Everywhere

Display slide 8. Share the definition of a symbol: An object that represents something.

Have students repeat the definition aloud and then turn to the person sitting next to them. Ask pairs to take turns sharing the definition in their own words.

Display slide 9. Share the definition of a U.S. symbol: An object that represents the United States.

Have students repeat the definition aloud and then turn to the person sitting next to them. Ask pairs to take turns sharing the definition in their own words.

Create a class Anchor Chart using the symbols that you introduced in the Explore activity:

• The Statue of Liberty

• The White House

• The Liberty Bell

• Bald eagle

• U.S. flag

Ask students to share what they remember about U.S. symbols from the Explore activity, and then transition into the next activity, where students will learn more about each symbol.

Go through the symbols on slides 10-14 one at a time. For each symbol, share information from a book of your choosing from your school library, or read the passage from Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government linked in the list below. Depending on the preferences and reading level of students in your class, you might read aloud to the whole class or have students read in small groups. After reading the passage, ask students to volunteer any information they might have about the symbol.

1. Display slide 10 and discuss the Statue of Liberty. Share the Statue of Liberty reading from Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government or another reading of your choice. After students have shared any information they know about the Statue of Liberty, share some of its history. The statue is made of copper and was presented to the people of the United States by France in 1886 as a symbol of freedom to millions of people around the world.

2. Display slide 11 and discuss the White House. Share the White House reading from Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government or another reading of your choice. Once students have shared any information they know about the White House, explain its importance. The White House is the official home of the president of the United States. It symbolizes democracy and human rights.

3. Display slide 12 and discuss the Liberty Bell. Share the Liberty Bell page from Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government or another reading of your choice. Once students have shared any information they know about the Liberty Bell, share with them its history. The Liberty Bell was made in 1752 and remains in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania near Independence Hall. It symbolizes independence.

4. Display slide 13 and discuss the bald eagle. Share the Bald Eagle page from Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government or another reading of your choice. Once students have shared any information they know about the bald eagle, share with them its symbolic importance. The eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It represents freedom and all that freedom stands for. The eagle also represents honor, respect, and dignity.

5. Display slide 14 and discuss the U.S. flag. Share the American Flag page from Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government or another reading of your choice. Once students have shared any information they know about the flag, share with them its symbolic importance. Explain the meaning of its colors and symbols. White symbolizes purity and innocence, red symbolizes hardiness and bravery, and blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Explain that the flag's stars and stripes represent the 50 states and the 13 original colonies.