In both kindergarten and first grade, there is a heavy emphasis on teaching US Symbols during social studies. Students must recognize and name each symbol, but it can be difficult to find the time and resources to teach them!
I have three different ways to introduce and reinforce US Symbols. These resources are sure to help your students remember these important parts of our country’s history!
Use US Symbols Videos
As with so many other skills, video is a compelling way to teach the US Symbols to Kindergarten-First Graders. Brainpop Jr. has a great video that introduces each symbol and explains its significance.
Additionally, there are plenty of YouTube videos you can play to introduce this unit to your students or to share a brief history behind each symbol. Two of my favorite videos are linked below!
I love the FreeSchool YouTube channel! They have videos specific to the symbols so make sure to check them out!
Take Notes
Yes, younger learners can take notes! When things are simple and easy to follow, note-taking is a great way for your students to remember what you teach them during this unit! My favorite way to guide students through note-taking is to teach using a Powerpoint. The Powerpoint has short, easy-to-read sentences on each slide.
While I am teaching with the presentation, students have a flipbook. The flipbook holds the same sentences that I am reading on the presentation. But, there are blanks that they must fill in.
This method requires that your students pay closer attention to your whole group teaching. Students also write down the important vocabulary terms that they are teaching, which helps reinforce their understanding. When students are actively engaged in the lesson, great discussions will follow!
Reinforce Learning with Crafts
After teaching each symbol, a craft is a great way to end a unit on US Symbols! Check out this post with simple craft ideas for Mt. Rushmore and the Liberty Bells.
If you don’t have time, you could always have your students select one of the three they’d like to create. Then, after all of the crafts are done, pair students up who chose different crafts and have them share about the symbol they made. They can share any history behind it that they understand, what it is called, where it is {if it’s a physical monument}, etc. Just a quick think-pair-share is a great way to quickly assess who understands their symbol after this unit is over!
If you’re looking for amazing step-by-step drawings that kids can actually do, make sure to watch the video below. I love this artistic family!
Using these resources, your students will have a blast learning about the things that best represent our country. On top of that, they will remember what they learned! This sets them up for success in future grades, as more pieces of US History are layered into their learning. If you try any of these resources, let me know in the comments! Happy teaching, everyone!
The post Teach the US Symbols in the Primary Grades appeared first on Lucky Learning with Molly Lynch.
