Getting Ready to Teach American Symbols
I LOVE this first grade social studies topic! Social studies lessons are among my favorite to teach, and this one is no different. In my room, this topic is usually covered in March. I love to slowly work through our lessons throughout the month using a variety of resources and activities. But, before we dive in - I'm all about giving a great introduction.
Books for Teaching American Symbols
Picture books are an awesome choice when it comes to introducing American symbols to young learners. There are tons of great options out there but I am partial to the books that use real, full-color pictures. These are always fascinating to the students and help them understand this topic on a deeper level.
U.S. Symbols by Ann Marie Kishel is a great option. There are lots of great pictures and the book is written in an emergent reader style that's perfect for firsties. Another great option is America, The Beautiful by Cholena Rose Dare. This one uses illustrations rather than real photos but it does a great job of showcasing many of the different symbols and landmarks that you can find in the United States. This book is jam-packed with info, so you might want to stick to a page or two per day.
Also, don't forget to check your school library and local public library for some books to read aloud as well. I always find a few fun new favorites when browsing.
Videos for Teaching American Symbols
Another great option for introducing this topic is to use an educational video. There are many great, free resources on YouTube that work well for the classroom. This video is of the book United States Symbols by Kira Freed being read aloud. It's a great choice if you can't get your hands on a copy of the book.
Another great educational video to use in your classroom is this one. It gives a brief overview of some of the most famous American symbols including the American Flag, the Great Seal, Uncle Sam, and more! Both of these options would be a great addition to your introduction to this topic.
Lessons for Teaching American Symbols
I love this topic so much that I created a comprehensive unit all about it. This American Symbols Social Studies Unit has everything we use in my room to cover this topic. Inside there are tons of fun activities to engage students in learning and cover every aspect of American Symbols that students need to know. Let's take a closer look at what's inside and how to use each resource when teaching American Symbols in first grade.
American Symbols Readers, Definition Cards and Photos
We always start with mini readers to learn more about this topic. Inside the unit, you will find two little books covering important topics. The first book is a deep dive into what a symbol is and what they are for. This is the one I like to start with to lay the foundation for this unit. After reading aloud, we read through it once more - a bit slower this time and then I let the kids color their books. I have some follow-up worksheets we use to review what we learned in this book as well. These are great for independent work after reading.
The second book is about American symbols in particular. Students learn about the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, the Bald Eagle, and more. Inside the unit, you will also find full-color photos and definition cards that pair nicely with this second reader. They're also a great follow-up to your books and videos, as many of them were likely introduced there. My kids love looking at the pictures and reviewing what each symbol means. I like to use these as a group while we are reading and then place them in a pocket chart for reference throughout our time on this topic.
American Symbols Practice Pages and Coloring Activities
Next up, it's time for some more practice! We use 8 practice pages that review each of the American symbols covered in this unit. Each page that is specific to a symbol includes a short reading passage and a question-and-answer section. The activities on each page vary to keep things interesting. There is also a labeling page as well as a page where students will color the American symbols they see.
I really like to use these pages in a whole class or small group format so that I can read the passage aloud. Because my students are at varied reading levels, this allows me to ensure that everyone is able to understand the passage and complete the questions. Since each page focuses on a different symbol, we use one page per day as a way to review what we learned from the books.
I've also included some "just-for-fun" coloring pages that my students love. I sneak these in where we can and use them for fast finishers and brain breaks as we work through the unit.
Uncle Sam Activities and Craft
In this unit, I included a worksheet and reading passage all about Uncle Sam. We read through this together and then I have my students answer the questions. As a final activity in this unit, my kids get to make an Uncle Sam craft. They love this part of the unit!
The craft is easy to prep as all the pages can be printed on white construction paper. The kids will color, cut, and assemble their craft. In addition to the cheery Uncle Sam figure on their craft, there are also lift-the-flap sections that name all of the American symbols we learned about. Students will cut out pictures of the symbols and glue them under the flaps. It's a great way to review what we've learned and sneak in some much-needed fine motor practice as well.
Wrapping Up with American Symbols
After we've worked our way through the lessons, I like to review this topic from time to time to ensure my kiddos retain what we learned. A great way to review is by using materials you already prepped. Definition cards can be cut from the word cards and turned into a matching game. This is an easy center you can incorporate into your year to serve as a review of all that you've learned. You can also place the American symbol picture cards with this activity to prompt student memory if your kiddos seem to be struggling. And don't forget - those read-alouds are another great way to revisit this topic later.
You can find all of these activities for teaching American symbols in my First Grade U.S. Symbols Social Studies Unit. It's got everything you need to make this topic fun and engaging for your firsties! Have fun with this topic in your classroom.
Looking for More Social Studies Lessons?
Check out these posts for more engaging ways to teach primary social studies topics.
- Picture Books and Activities for Teaching Map Skills
- Engaging Social Studies Activities for First Grade
- Fun Activities for Teaching About Citizenship
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