Calling all Patriots!  President Raleigh has asked our 4th grade students to research United States symbols.  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create a book that will help the teachers of lower elementary students teach patriotic symbols to their students!
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The Task

 You will be making a U.S. symbols book that will include 6 current symbols and the new symbol that you would nominate.  This "big" book will be presented to teachers of students in first and second grade classrooms.
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The Process

1.  You will be working in teams of two to research and gather information about United States symbols.  Each partner is responsible for contributing 3 different symbols to the book. You will work together to create a symbol to nominate and add to your book. Research may be done using the Internet links provided, encyclopedias, or Social Studies textbooks. 

2.  Each page should contain a drawing of one of the existing United States symbols and a paragraph explaining important information about the symbol.

*Be sure to tell us where each symbol is located! 

*Include at least 4 other important facts in your paragraph.

3.  The last page in the book will have your new symbol with a paragraph explaining why you chose this particular item. 

*Be sure to include where your new symbol could be found and 4 interesting details about your created symbol. 

*Use persuasion to convince President Raleigh and the lower elementary students who read your book that your symbol should be adopted as a new United States symbol.

4.  You may use this checklist to make sure that you are collecting all of the required information and completing all parts of the assignment. You will use a storyboard graphic organizer to design your book. This must be approved by your teacher before you move on to the creation phase of this project.  Your teacher will provide posterboard for you to create your "big" book. 

5.  You will create a cover and bind the book by using a hole punch and tying the pages together with red, white, and blue ribbon.
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The Resources

 You will use the resources found below to research the information on the Internet for each of the pages of your book. Encyclopedias and textbooks may be found in your classroom or school library.

Ben's Guide to U.S. Symbols
The United States President
The Flag
The Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution
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Evaluation

  You may use this checklist as you research and construct your book.  Your finished product will be scored according to this scoring guide.
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Conclusion

   Now that you are an expert on United States National symbols check out the state symbols for your home state!  If you are a Missourian you may go here to find some information on Missouri state symbols. If you live outside of Missouri, you may find information on your state at this site.  Do you have an idea for a symbol that your state should adopt? Gov. Schwinn is anxious to hear from you!
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