These activities will teach recognition and respect for the U.S. symbols (American flag, pledge of allegiance, liberty bell, statue of liberty, bald eagle, White House, and other patriotic symbols). Students will learn about the 50 states and their flags.

• To teach this lesson, you will need an understanding of U. S. national and state symbols, the geography of the United States, and identify common characteristics of United States flags.
• Search for resources in Utah's Online Library for articles related to this lesson.
• Teachers should be familiar with Adobe Spark and have access to devices for digital photography. 
• You will need knowledge about copyright and Creative Commons licenses. Creative Commons License
• Find copyright friendly images at Wikimedia Commons

Learning Intentions:

• Students will be able to identify U.S. national symbols, states, and flags. 

Success Criteria:

• Students will develop a sense of patriotism and belonging to their community and country. 

Student Background Knowledge

Prior to this lesson, students will need to have an understanding of Adobe Spark and taking digital photos.

Students will need to have knowledge on creative commons photos and how to appropriately share and cite another person's photos. A great source to teach how to easily cite photos is from utilizing Utah's Online Library resources. 

Many children arrive with a knowledge of symbols (alphabet letters, numbers, traffic signs, restroom, handicap logo, etc.). Other children will need support through visual exposure to understand national symbols. 

Strategies for Diverse Learners

Students can choose from a variety of Adobe Spark projects to show learning.  Students could create a class project if more scaffolding is needed. Students could also work in pairs or groups. Students may audio record their learning instead of typing. 

Invitation to learn:

Prior to students arrival, post display symbols, signs, and logos that students should be familiar with (traffic light, restaurant logos, road signs, restroom symbol, red cross, poison, crosswalk, food/cereal brands, etc. Play patriotic music as children observe, discuss what symbols stand for to introduce the concept of a symbol.

• Instruction:
• Display Webpage on your projector. 
• US Symbols
• Identify U.S. Symbols
  • ASk: What is that?
    • What does it stand for?
    • What is a symbol of?
    • Where have you seen it?
    • What colors do you see?
• Do the following activities as a class or in small groups (depending on technology available)
  • Learn about U.S. Symbols
  • Play Matching Game
  • Log In to Utah Online Library to learn more about the U.S. Symbols.
    • https://onlinelibrary.uen.org/
    • Click on EBSCO: elementary
    • Click on Explora
    • Search "American Symbols"
    • Click on ":What are American Symbols
    • Flag book
    • Colors of My flag
    • Discuss what we students now know about symbols. 
• Extensions: States
  • Continue on Web Page (see above)
  • Watch States song 
  • Play "Stack the States" and explore the "learn" section of the game
  • Explore "CultureGrams" on Utah Online LIbrary to learn about each state
  • Explore "Wordbook: kids" on Utah Online LIbrary to learn about each state
  • Play State Game
  • Can you name at least 5 states? What are some special monuments/distinguishing facts from a state?
• Extension: flags
  • Rewatch States song and notice how the states change into their flags
  • Play Flags Game
  • How are the flags the same? How are they different? What are some symbols and colors often used?

Students will create an Adobe Spark collage, presentation, or slideshow (Students may also create a GIF) to show their knowledge and appreciation for state and U.S. symbols, states, and/or flags.

1. Choose 3 items for any of these categories: U.S. and State symbols, states, and/or flags
2. Choose which Adobe Spark product to create
3. Take pictures, use Adobe Spark pictures, or include Creative Common licensed photos
4. Organize your photos and name objects with words or audio (i.e. eagle, Utah flag, Florida)
5. Publish and share your Adobe Spark with the class.

Modification: A Shared collaboration project. If you have limited technology or if students need extra scaffolding and support, a collaborative project would demonstrate learning. Student's create one slide (take a picture or find a Creative commons licensed photo). They can type or create audio recording for identification of symbol, state, or flag. 

Please see my examples below of a possible Student Created project or Shared Collaboration.

Shared Collobartion: U.S. Flags

Student Sample Project: Alabama

U.S. Symbols Presentation Rubric