Uncle Sam Wants You: National Symbols

Social Studies American History American Identity Uncle Sam Wants You: National Symbols
Students brainstorm symbols that represent the United States. Then they explore the significance of three symbols: Uncle Sam, the Liberty Bell, and the bald eagle. Next they restate the Pledge of Allegiance in their own words. Finally they choose one of two tasks: to design a new American symbol or to create a poster explaining a recognized symbol to younger children.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

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Here are the teacher pack items for Uncle Sam Wants You: National Symbols:

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Overview

In this experience, students brainstorm symbols that represent the United States. Then they explore the significance of three symbols: Uncle Sam, the Liberty Bell, and the bald eagle. Next they restate the Pledge of Allegiance in their own words. Finally they choose one of two tasks: to design a new American symbol or to create a poster explaining a recognized symbol to younger children.

Estimated duration: 40-75 minutes, depending on how much time you want to give students for the creative task in scene 4

Discovery Reading

A printable Discovery Reading is included in the student pack as a support for understanding the experience’s core content and concepts. This Discovery Reading is not necessary to complete the experience and serves as an optional support resource.

Vocabulary Words:

These vocabulary words are used in the experience or connect closely to the standards and content students examine. Students should understand these terms as they work through the experience.

  • national symbol: a person, object, song, or image that stands for the United States and helps show its history, values, or government.
  • Uncle Sam: a patriotic symbol shown as a tall man in red, white, and blue that is commonly used to represent the U.S. government.
  • Liberty Bell: a famous bell in Philadelphia that became a symbol of liberty, freedom, and the fight to end slavery.
  • bald eagle: the national bird of the United States, used as a symbol of strength, freedom, and independence.
  • Great Seal of the United States: an official symbol of the United States that includes the bald eagle and is used on government documents and on the back of the one-dollar bill.
  • Pledge of Allegiance: a statement of loyalty to the United States and its flag that is often recited at schools and public ceremonies.
  • allegiance: loyalty or faithfulness to a country, flag, or cause.
 

Objectives

  • Describe the national symbols of the United States
  • Analyze the Pledge of Allegiance


Engage


We use symbols for many things in everyday life. Countries often use flags and other symbols to represent themselves. Businesses may be recognized by symbols called logos, such as McDonald’s golden arches or Nike’s swoosh. Symbols can also represent ideas. For example, a heart shape can represent love, and a red stop sign tells drivers to stop.

In this lesson, you will learn about some of the national symbols that represent the United States and the ideas or history connected to them.

Objectives

  • Describe the national symbols of the United States
  • Analyze the Pledge of Allegiance


map of the United States with American flag pattern

What symbols represent the United States?. If you want to post multiple symbols, separate them with a comma, like this: Cleveland, Austin.

Post your answer

The Library of Congress web site lists six symbols: the Liberty Bell, the U.S. flag, the bald eagle, the national anthem, Uncle Sam, and the Statue of Liberty. Other sources add items such as the White House, the Washington Memorial, or the Great Seal.

Students may include items from popular culture that are identified with the United States, such as baseball or apple pie.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.


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The Complete List of Learning Experiences in American Identity Unit.
Social Studies American History American Identity My American Identity
My American Identity
Social Studies American History American Identity Uncle Sam Wants You: National Symbols
Uncle Sam Wants You: National Symbols
Social Studies American History American Identity American Identity: Vocabulary
American Identity: Vocabulary
Social Studies American History American Identity The National Ethos
The National Ethos
Social Studies American History American Identity The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Social Studies American History American Identity American Identity: Review
American Identity: Review
Social Studies American History American Identity Your State and Local Governments
Your State and Local Governments
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