Symbols Of Freedom In America

American Symbols: The Flag, the Statue of Liberty, and the Dandy Seal

Unit Objective

This unit of measurement is office of Gilder Lehrman'due south serial of Common Core State Standards–based teaching resources. These units were written to enable students to sympathize, summarize, and clarify original texts of historical significance. The lessons are built effectually the use of visual evidence and disquisitional thinking skills.

Students will sympathize the significance of several iconic American symbols: the Flag of the The states, the Statue of Liberty, and the Corking Seal of the U.s.a.. The iconic symbols of America are those objects that create an understanding of America's history, principles, and aspirations while at the same time creating a sense of unity in our culture. Through their universal recognition they become touchstones for our club. Understanding what these objects stand for is to understand an of import part of the corking American story.The students will demonstrate their understanding during class discussions and through drawing or written assessment activities equally directed in each lesson.

Lesson i

Objective

In this lesson the students will be closely examining the national flag of the United States. Subsequently this close examination, the students will employ disquisitional thinking skills to demonstrate their understanding of the symbolism of the flag. The students will demonstrate their understanding during class discussions and through drawing or written assessment activities.

Introduction

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the offset Flag Act: "Resolved that the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate scarlet and white; that the union exist thirteen stars, white in a blueish field, representing a new Constellation." The flag of the United States has gone through many incarnations equally states have been added to the Matrimony. At start, a stripe was added for every new country too as a star (Imagine what our flag would look like if they had continued that idea!), just the bones design has stayed the aforementioned from the "Betsy Ross" flag with its circumvolve of xiii stars to our fifty-star flag of today. In this lesson the students will acquire the symbolism of the flag:

The xiii stripes correspond the original 13 colonies.
The number of stars on the flag stand for the number of states in the Union.
The stars on a blue field stand for the creation of a new constellation.
Cherry-red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor.
White symbolizes Purity and Innocence.
Blueish represents Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.

Materials

The "Betsy Ross" Flag (Although the attribution is disputed, Betsy Ross is traditionally given credit for sewing the kickoff national flag.)
The Flag of the Us of America
Graphic Organizer: "The Flag of the Usa of America"

Process

Class Discussion: What is a symbol? Discuss the fact that a symbol is a picture or object that stands for an idea. For example, in math a + symbol ways to add ane number to some other number. On a traffic light, the colour red means "Stop," while the color greenish means "Get." Permit your form brainstorm other symbols that they are familiar with.
Class Discussion: The students will closely discover the flag of the Us of America. Utilize your own classroom flag or the illustration in this lesson and have the students closely examine the flag. Enquire the following:
- What are the colors on the flag?
- How many stripes are there and how many of each colour?
- How many stars are in that location?
Utilize the analogy of the "Betsy Ross" flag and ask the aforementioned questions, as well every bit this one: Why is this flag different from the one in our classroom? Use this question to introduce the information in the introduction.
Hash out the information in the introduction.
Explicate the unfamiliar vocabulary equally necessary. Terms you might discuss include: constellation, hardiness, valor, purity, innocence, vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Hand out the Graphic Organizer: "The Flag of the United states." Ask the class what the = symbol in the middle of the organizer represents.
Depending on the grade level and language ability of the students, they will complete the organizer by kickoff drawing i of the symbols of the flag (a white star, a red stripe, a white stripe, or a bluish field). And then, with an analogy, key words, or even sentences, identify and explain what it symbolizes. For example, a drawing of a cherry-red stripe might be followed by a drawing of a superhero or a sentence alluding to strength and bravery. If time allows, you lot can have them analyze more than than 1 symbol.
Debrief with the class and have them share and explain their analyses.

Lesson 2

Objective

In this lesson the students will be closely examining the Statue of Liberty. Later on this close examination, the students volition employ critical thinking skills to demonstrate their agreement of the symbolism of the statue. The students will demonstrate their agreement during class discussions and through drawing or written assessment activities.

Introduction

The Statue of Liberty was a souvenir from the people of French republic to the people of the United states of america of America. Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was asked to design the statue for America's 100th birthday in 1876. Problems with raising money for both the base of the statue likewise every bit the statue itself set the project back ten years, but on October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty officially opened in New York harbor. Today it continues to greet travelers to New York and inspire all who look upon Lady Freedom.

The Statue of Liberty has an atomic number 26 framework with a copper peel. That copper skin is simply a piddling thicker than a penny. Even with such a sparse skin, the statue weighs about 450,000 pounds. It rises 305.five anxiety from the ground to the tip of the torch, and Lady Freedom herself is more than 111 feet tall from her feet to the top of her head. The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of Freedom itself, is also a combination of many other symbols:

The tablet in her left hand is inscribed with "JULY 4 MDCCLXXVI" (July 4, 1776) to recognize the creation of the The states of America.
The seven rays on her crown stand for the vii continents of the Earth.
At her feet are broken bondage and shackles to represent the throwing off of tyranny and oppression.
The torch is a symbol of freedom. In fact, it is the source of the statue's official name: Liberty Enlightening the Earth.
Lady Liberty is striding forward, symbolic of leading the mode and lighting the path to Freedom and Freedom.

Materials

The Statue of Liberty view #1
The Statue of Freedom view #two
The Statue of Freedom view #3
The Statue of Liberty view #4
Graphic Organizer: "The Statue of Freedom"

Procedure

Course Discussion: What is a symbol? Review the concept introduced in yesterday'south lesson.
Class Word: Pass out the Statue of Liberty #1. The students will closely examine the image of the Statue of Liberty. Ask the following:
- What sort of a statue is this?
- What is the statue doing?
- What are some interesting details that you can see?
Evidence the students the other three views of the Statue of Liberty and discuss the information in the introduction.
Explicate the unfamiliar vocabulary equally necessary. Terms you might discuss include: tablet, continents, shackles, tyranny, oppression, freedom, enlightening, and striding.
Pass out the Graphic Organizer: "The Statue of Liberty."
Direct the students to complete the organizer based their grade level and language ability. First, they will draw one of the symbols of the statue (the tablet, the crown, chains and/or shackles, the torch, or another analogy that shows a symbolic aspect of the statue) in the right box. And so, with an illustration, key words, or even sentences, the student will place and explain what the epitome symbolizes. For case, a cartoon of the tablet that the statue is holding might be followed by a drawing of a altogether cake for America or a sentence describing a Fourth of July celebration. If time allows, you lot tin have them clarify more than one symbol.
Debrief with the class and have them share and explain their analyses.

Lesson three

Objective

In this lesson the students will be closely examining the obverse (front side) of the Great Seal of the Us. After this shut examination, the students will employ critical thinking skills to demonstrate their agreement of the symbolism of the Great Seal of the The states. The students will demonstrate their understanding during class discussions and through drawing or written cess activities.

Introduction

Before information technology adjourned on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress of the newly created The states passed a resolution: "Resolved, that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Jefferson, exist a commission, to bring in a device for a seal for the U.s. of America."

The new land needed a symbol that would represent the U.s. and be recognized effectually the world. Nonetheless this task was easier said than done. In the end, information technology would take six years and 2 more committees earlier the Cracking Seal of the United States was adopted on June xx, 1782. The purpose of the Great Seal is to serve as the recognized symbol of America, and for more than 200 years it has been used equally the official emblem displayed and stamped on treaties, government appointments, and other of import documents, including Us passports. However, information technology is probably most recognized as the illustration on the dorsum of the ane-dollar bill. The metal dice and counter die of the Groovy Seal and its press are housed at the Land Department in Washington, DC, and tin only exist used with the permission of the Secretarial assistant of Land.

While the Great Seal is a symbol of America, it is comprised of many other symbols:

The American baldheaded hawkeye, our national bird, symbolizes Liberty, Freedom, and Independence.
The shield held by the hawkeye shows that we can protect and defend our state independently, without assist from others.
Just as on the American flag, the stripes on the shield represent the start 13 colonies, and just as on the flag, the colors themselves are symbolic. (Have the students recall what the colors correspond from Lesson 1).
The blue field on elevation of the stripes represents the US Congress and how it binds the states together. In addition, the color blue is symbolic. (Have the students recall what the color means from Lesson 1).
The banner in the eagle'due south beak bears the country's motto, "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of many, ane), meaning that while nosotros are many individual states and people, nosotros are one country.
The olive branch represents Peace.
The arrows represent State of war.
The eagle is facing the olive branch, meaning that peace is ever the first choice, merely we can fight if we must.
The stars in the cloud correspond the new constellation of the United states surrounded past rays of light (called a "celebrity") shining through every bit America takes its place amid the countries of the world.

Materials

Illustration of the Neat Seal of the United States
Analogy of the U.s. one-dollar bill
Graphic Organizer: "The Great Seal of the United States"

Procedure

Class Discussion: What is a symbol? Review the concept from the last ii lessons.
Class Word: Laissez passer out the image of the Great Seal and take the students examine it closely. Enquire the post-obit:
- Count and listing the different objects on the seal. Is at that place a pattern? (arrows, leaves on the olive co-operative, olives, stars, and stripes)
- Why does the number 13 keep recurring? (the original thirteen colonies)
- What are some interesting details that you lot can see? (List the symbols equally the students identify them.)
Show the students the illustration of the dollar bill and hash out the information in the introduction. (The illustration of the pyramid on the dollar neb is the reverse side of the Bully Seal. However, other than existence printed on the dollar bill, it is non used on official documents or commonly used for display.)
Explain the unfamiliar vocabulary equally necessary. Terms you might talk over include: treaties, committees, emblem, dice and counter die, independence, and constellation.
Hand out the Graphic Organizer: "The Great Seal of the The states."
Directly the students to complete the organizer based their class level and language ability. First they will describe ane of the many symbols of the Great Seal. Then, with an analogy, fundamental words, or even sentences, the students will identify and explain what it symbolizes. For example, a drawing of the shield might be followed by a drawing of people behind a shield with arrows, bombs, and bullets bouncing off of it or perhaps by a few sentences describing how it is the task of the regime to protect the people. If time allows y'all can have the students analyze more than one symbol.
Debrief with the class and have them share and explain their analyses.
Extension Activity: If time permits or as a follow-upwards yous tin have the students analyze the opposite (back) of the Great Seal. The US State Department website has information on the reverse side's symbolism.