Third Grade

This History/Social Studies lesson was designed to help third grade students learn about the important national landmarks and symbols that give our nation its identity, create a sense of community among citizens and exemplify cherished ideals.

Standard 3.5

Discovering America’s Symbols

Liberty Bell

Gateway ArchLincoln Memorial

White House

American Flag

Bald Eagle

Statue of Liberty Washington Monument

Mount Rushmore

Discovering America’s Symbols

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• The best known symbol of the United States is our flag. It is often called “Old Glory.”

• The flag is a symbol of the idea that we are one nation made up of separate states.

• Each stripe stands for one of the original 13 colonies in America.

• The 50 stars represent the fifty states that today make up the United States of America.

Original 1776 flag Present flag

Ever wonder why our flag is Red, White and Blue? Red: Signifies valor and bravery White: Signifies purity and innocence Blue: Signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice

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• The bald eagle is a magnificent bird of prey that is native to North America. It is not really bald; white feathers cover its head.

• Its image can be found on the Great Seal, the President's flag, theone-dollar bill, and on the quarter coin.

Why was the bald eagle chosen as our national bird?• This strong, proud bird symbolizes our courage, our respect for the land, and

our love of freedom.

Benjamin Franklin argued that the turkey should be chosen as our national bird.

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• The Washington Monument is an obelisk-shaped building that was built to honor George Washington, our first president. It stands near the Potomac River in our country’s capital, Washington, D.C.

• At 555 feet tall, it is the tallest building in the District of Columbia. By law, no other building in Washington, D.C. is allowed to be taller.

• Fifty flags surround the base of the Washington Monument and symbolize the 50 states of the United States of America.

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For more information go to www.nps.gov/wamo/

• The Liberty Bell is a huge bronze bell that symbolizes liberty, or freedom, in the United States of America. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• The bell was rung at the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

• It also rang to announce many important events in early American history, including Presidential elections and deaths.

• The bell has been cracked twice. It hasn’t been rung since 1835, the second time it broke.

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•The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States of America, and has been for over 200 years. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.

•John Adams, the 2nd President of the United States, was the first president to live in the White House.

•The President’s Oval Office is located in the White House.

To find out more, click on http://www.WhiteHouse.gov

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• Located in New York City Harbor, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom throughout the world. The Statue was a gift from the people of France.

• The statue is made of copper sheets with an iron framework, and stands 151 feet tall (305 feet including base and pedestal).

• Her right hand holds aloft a burning torch that represents liberty. Her left hand holds a tablet inscribed with the date "July 4, 1776" (in Roman numerals), the day the United States declared its independence from England.

• The seven rays of her spiked crown symbolize the seven seas and continents.

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• Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln was President during the Civil War (1861-65). The memorial symbolizes his belief that all people should be free.

• The statue is 19 feet high and weighs 175 tons.

• Also in the Memorial are two murals and stone engravings of Lincoln's second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address.

• On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. made his "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

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The statue of Lincoln is 19 feet high and w

•The St. Louis Gateway Arch is an elegant monument honoring our early pioneers and westward expansion in the USA.

•Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, the 630-foot tall stainless steel arch rises above the city skyline.

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• The national memorial, Mount Rushmore, is a huge mountain sculpture located near Keystone, in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

• Designed as a testament to the growth of the country and its great leaders, this magnificent rock carving depicts the 60-foot high faces of four great U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

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1. What national memorial is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

- White House

- Lincoln Memorial

- Washington Monument

- Liberty Bell

- Gateway Arch

- Mount Rushmore

Correct!

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2. Which national memorial was built to honor America’s pioneers heading west?

- White House- Lincoln Memorial- Washington Monument- Liberty Bell- Gateway Arch- Mount Rushmore

Correct!

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3. Which national monument is carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota?

- White House- Lincoln Memorial- Washington Monument- Liberty Bell- Gateway Arch- Mount Rushmore

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Hint: It’s a huge mountain sculpture.

4. What national symbol is also known as “Old Glory?”

- Bald Eagle- American Flag- Statue of Liberty- Washington Monument- Liberty Bell

Congratulations!

The American flag is the correct answer!

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5. If Ben Franklin had gotten his way, this bird would be our national symbol:

RobinBlue JayTurkeyOwlCardinal

Correct!

Ben Franklin thought the turkeywas a wise and clever bird.

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Hint: This bird played an important role inthe first Thanksgiving.

6. Why does the U.S. flag have 13 stripes?

George Washington had 13 childrenThe U.S. War for Independence lasted

13 daysEach stripe stands for one of the

original 13 colonies in AmericaThe U.S. declared its independence

from England on July 13, 1776

Correct!

You know a lot aboutthe American flag!

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The Statue of Liberty . . .

•Is located in New York Harbor•Was a gift from France•Stands for freedom throughout the world

____________________________________

True False

You are now an expert on national symbols and landmarks!!!!

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It was, from 1886 until the jet age, often one of thefirst glimpses of the United States for millions ofimmigrants after ocean voyages from Europe.

GodBlessTheUSA!

http://• This presentation was created using Microsoft ®This presentation was created using Microsoft ® Office PowerPoint ® 2003Office PowerPoint ® 2003

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• Houghton Mifflin Social Studies Houghton Mifflin Social Studies From Sea toFrom Sea to Shining SeaShining Sea. (1994). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. (1994). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.Company.

• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/symbols/http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/symbols/

• http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/index.htmlhttp://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/index.html