A guide for using our resources

Children will describe how a class helped save a bald eagle.

Social Studies Focus: American symbols

SEL Focus: responsible decision-making

CCSS (and states that have similar standards): RI.1.1, RI.1.6, RF.1.3, RL1.1, L.1.1.B, W.1.8

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

• In this story, a young girl and her mother go bird-watching and spy two magnificent bald eagles. Sparkling, rhyming text makes this book a delight to read aloud.

• Work together to find and circle every proper noun in the issue.

Skills: writing and drawing

Materials: My Symbol skill sheet, crayons, pencils

• Now that children know about an American symbol, let them make a symbol to represent themselves!
• Review that a symbol stands for something. For example, a heart is a symbol for love, so people think of love when they see a heart. Then tell children they will create a symbol to represent themselves.
• Discuss how students can make a symbol for something that’s important to them, like an activity they enjoy or a personality trait they admire about themselves. For example, a student who loves soccer might create a symbol of a soccer ball and a heart! Ask children how they might show what is important to them in their symbol.
• Hand out the skill sheets. Have children draw their symbol and write about it. Then display the symbols and invite children to check out each other’s work!