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 Arch Lincoln Memorial White House American Flag Bald Eagle Statue of LibertyWashington Monument Mount Rushmore Discovering America’s Symbols Click on each pictuo learn more. Click on each picture to learn more. Click here to view the quiz

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 Click on the house to return to the main screen.

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, the one-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. Click on the house to return to the main page.

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. Click on the house to return to the main page. For more information go to

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, 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. Click on the house to return to the main page.

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 2 nd 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 Click on the house to return to the main page.

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. Click on the house to return to the main page.

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 ( ). 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. Click on the house to return to the main page. 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. Click on the house to return to the main page.

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. Click on the house to return to the main page.

Click here to begin the quiz. Click here to end. Click here to return to the main page.

1.What national memorial is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? - White House - Lincoln Memorial - Washington Monument - Liberty Bell - Gateway Arch - Mount Rushmore

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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

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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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Try again! 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! Click on arrow to continue.

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5. If Ben Franklin had gotten his way, this bird would be our national symbol: Robin Blue Jay Turkey Owl Cardinal

Correct! Ben Franklin thought the turkey was a wise and clever bird. Click on arrow to continue.

Try again... Hint: This bird played an important role in the first Thanksgiving.

6. Why does the U.S. flag have 13 stripes? George Washington had 13 children The U.S. War for Independence lasted 13 days Each stripe stands for one of the original 13 colonies in America The U.S. declared its independence from England on July 13, 1776

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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 ____________________________________ TrueFalse

You are now an expert on national symbols and landmarks!!!! Click on arrow to end.

Try again... It was, from 1886 until the jet age, often one of the first glimpses of the United States for millions of immigrants after ocean voyages from Europe.

God Bless The USA!

his present ation was created using Micros oft ® PowerP oint® 2002 PowerP oint® 2002 All clipart and sound files were from Micros oft ® This presentation was created using Microsoft ® Office PowerPoint ® 2003 Office PowerPoint ® 2003 All clipart and sounds came from Microsoft ® Office All clipart and sounds came from Microsoft ® Office Online Online Houghton Mifflin Social Studies From Sea to Houghton Mifflin Social Studies From Sea to Shining Sea. (1994). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Shining Sea. (1994). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. Company