1. Famous United States Landmarks
Robin A. Zelinski
EDE 417

2. Unit: Famous U.S. Landmarks
Grade: 2nd Grade
Join us as we visit the Statue of Liberty and the White House

3. Objectives
Students will learn background information on the White House and the Statue of Liberty
Students will practice their letter writing and editing skills
Students will understand the meaning of a symbol
Students will chart what they know about these landmarks and what they will learn

4. Introduction of the Statue of Liberty
It is located on Bedloe Island (Liberty Island) and rises above the New York Harbor
She was a gift of friendship from France
The statue was sculpted by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi
Lady Liberty was shipped in 350 pieces across the Atlantic Ocean

5. Statue of Liberty Facts
354 stairs to the top
25 windows in her crown
7 spikes represent each continent
Made of copper
Weighs 450,000 pounds
151 ft tall
$270,000 to create
Took 9 years to build
Required 250 crates to ship to U.S.
Based on a woman’s shoe size, her size is 879

6. Activity #1
Read and Show the Robert Sabuda book, America the Beautiful
Students will create a K-W-L chart for the White House and the Statue of Liberty
What I know
What I want to learn
What I have learned

7. Materials #1
K-W-L chart (preprinted)
Pencils
Computer
Books

8. Activity #2
Read the chapter about the Statue of Liberty in Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who? By Teresa Bateman
The students will write a thank-you letter to Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi for the birthday gift they gave the United States on July 4, 1884

9. Materials Activity #2 Book Notebook paper, envelopes, crayons, pencils
Pictures of the Statue of Liberty

10. Activity #3
As a class, we will discuss what a symbol and memorial is, and as a class come up with examples of other memorials or symbols.
Students will then create a “memorial” of an event in their life that was important to them.
The students can use any of the art supplies provided to create their memorial.

11. Materials Activity #3 Paper Pencils Crayons
Watercolor pencils or paint
Clay

12. Introduction of the White House
Official residence of the President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC
Home of all the Presidents, except George Washington
Construction of the White House began on October 13, 1792

13. Introduction Continued
During the War of 1812, the White House was set on fire and rebuilt in 1817
The White House sits on 18 acres
The President’s office is called, “The Oval Office”

14. Activity #4
The class will create a book for the President and send it to the White House
Each child will create a page for the book
Ideas they can write about:
What they like about the US?
How they can make the US a better place?
They can ask the President a question

15. Materials Activity #4 Paper Pencils Crayons Colored pencils
Colored paper for cover page

16. Activity #5
Students will work with a partner to make a diorama of one room in the White House of their choosing, when everyone is done, we will bring them all together to make our version of the “White House”

17. Materials Activity #5 Shoe boxes Glue/tape Magazines Computer
Plastic figurines
Popsicle sticks
Yarn/fabric
buttons

18. Websites The National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/stli/
Fact Monster
The White House for Kids
Kidz World

19. Websites Continued Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
U.S. Symbols, Landmarks and Monuments
Statue of Liberty Facts