#1583. Understanding the Flag and Other American Symbols

Social Studies, level: Elementary
Posted Sun Feb 20 13:51:49 PST 2000 by Lorie King (LKing@newlondonk12.wi.us).
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, USA
Materials Required: Art supplies
Activity Time: 45 minutes
Concepts Taught: Students will understand the significance of the American Flag

INTRODUCTION-
*Write the word "symbol" on the board.
*Involve students in a discussion of what a symbol is.
*Brainstorm some examples of symbols (fast food restaurant logos, mascots, etc.)

*Ask students what a symbol for our country is. Ask for volunteers to define the term.
*Surface the idea that a flag represents a group of people as well as individuals. Tell students the flag represents each one of them.
*Ask students if they think the flag is a good symbol. Why or why not? Ask them if they would change the flag and what it might look like.
*Brainstorm ideas for a class flag.

*Students will create a flag. They may choose to create a class flag, a new American flag, or a personal flag. This could be done individually or with partners.

CLOSURE-
*Share student flags. Be sure students talk about what they included in their flag, why they included it, and why it is representative of the group or individual they chose.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES-
*Research and discuss other American symbols such as the Capital Building, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial,etc.
*Read The Wall by Eve Bunting. Brainstorm other groups of people who should be commemorated with a monument (fire fighters, sanitation workers, voters, etc.)
*Groups or individual students create monuments of their own using drawing supplies, sculpture, or computer graphics.