4 SS1

                                                                                                                                      LO 4

 

National Symbols

 

 

 

Formative Assessment:

 

·        Have you ever wondered why we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

·        Why is the American flag red, white, and blue?

 

 

Instructional Strategies or Activities:

 

Tell students that many people do not know all the facts about our national symbols.  This is their chance to find out about our national symbols and share what they learn with others.

 

Assign students to a team of 2 - 4 people.  The members of each team will be investigating one of our national symbols.  The job of each team is to write a news story for the class newspaper or make a PowerPoint presentation for a news show.  The story needs to tell the 5 Ws—Who, What, When, Where, and Why the symbol is important.  Illustrations or pictures will need to be included to go with the article or news story, and the team may wish to include other visual aids.   They should fill out the Worksheet for each site they visit or each reference that they use.  The team will need to use a word processor to prepare its final copy and cite references.

 

Summative Assessment:

 

When the teams have finished their story or presentation, they will evaluate their work by asking the following questions.  They will be graded as a team on how well they worked together and how well they completed their tasks.

 

1.  Have you answered all of the questions fully?

2.  Have you included illustrations or visual aids?

3.  Is your work spelled correctly?

4.  Have you checked for punctuation and grammar?

5.  Did you tell where you got your information?

6.  Is your story or presentation interesting to read or watch?

 

Internet links:

 

http://coe.west.asu.edu/students/ksteen/chp/symbols.htm

 

http://bensguide.gpo.gov

 

 

In addition to using Internet links, the teams may want to use some of the following resources to get their information.

 

·        a print or electronic encyclopedia, such as Encarta

·        a social studies text, and books such as:

·        “The Story of Old Glory” by Albert I. Meyer

·        “The Flag of the United States” by Dennis B. Fradin

·        “The Living White House” by Lonnelle Aikman

·        “Flags of American History” by David O. Crouthers

·        “Declaration of Independence” by Dennis B. Fradin

·        “The National Anthem” by Patricia Ryan Quiri

·        “The Story of the Liberty Bell” by Natalie Miller

·        “The Story of the Statue of Liberty” by Natalie Miller

·        “Eagles” by Christina Butterworth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Symbol Information Sheet

 

Use this page to take notes on as you and your news team are researching the story of your symbol.  As you read, try to find information to answer the W questions.  Record your answers below.  Make notes of any extra information that you think will make the story you are telling more informative and interesting.

 

Source of information (if Internet include the URL)

 

 

Who is important in the story of your symbol?

 

 

 

What is your symbol and what are the important facts about it?

 

 

 

 

When did the important facts happen?

 

 

 

Where did the facts happen?

 

 

 

 

Why is the symbol important to our country?

 

 

 

Other interesting information: