Content Area: Social Studies

 

Index: 6.4B Grade 4 CPI 8

 

Standard: 6.4 - US & NJ History

 

Strand: B -  State and Nation

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 8 -  The student will discuss the value of the American national heritage including:  Diverse folklore and cultural contributions from New Jersey and other regions in the United States,  History and values celebrated in American songs, symbols, slogans, and major holidays and, Historical preservation of primary documents, buildings, places of memory, and significant artifacts

 

Grade: 4

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        Students should be given an opportunity to become familiar with those things in our culture that are considered to be symbols and signs of being American. This learning should begin in the early grades and should continue until graduation from high school. The daily Pledge of Allegiance should be studied by children and should be the subject of several lessons. Most students have seen and pledged to our nation’s flag, have seen or participated in parades, and can recognize decorations and pictures that represent the United States. Nevertheless, it is important that they learn how these things became symbolic and what they symbolize regarding American principles and beliefs. Other symbolic national emblems are the Great Seal of the United States including the American eagle (the national bird), the national anthem, and the national motto (“In God We Trust”).

 

·        Explain the idea of patriotism (love of one’s country) to the class. Students use a dictionary to define the word patriotic and then list ways that people may show patriotism. Discuss patriotic holidays, such as those on which citizens may display an American flag or hold a parade (e.g., Flag Day or July 4th). Remind students of what we are celebrating on July 4th: the day on which the Second Continental Congress declared the United States a free and independent country. Encourage students to invent their own patriotic holiday, such as “Liberty Bell Day” or “Love Your Country Day.” The class can create its own group holiday, decorate the classroom in a patriotic theme, and participate in their own parade.

 

·        Students form committees to research the state symbols, mottoes, and other important emblems. An excellent source is the many publications of Afton Publishing Company and the work of John T. Cunningham, who many regarded as “Mr. New Jersey History.”

 

·        Students research the story of the patriotic statues, Justice and Liberty. How did they originate? What do they stand for? What is the connection between the Statue of Liberty and immigration, Ellis Island, and so on? Students research their own families to discover relatives who came to America through Ellis Island. Related topics include the American eagle, early American flags, Uncle Sam, Yankee Doodle, and other symbols of American values.

 

Kidspiration Activity:

 

·        Use symbols and links to create an idea map about American symbols.