U.S. Symbols

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A symbol is something that represents something else. Remind your children that they see symbols everywhere, in the classroom, home, and in their neighborhoods. On the road, a green light means go. On a map, a star inside a circle represents the capitol of a state or country. Explain that different symbols can stand for the same thing. For example, a dove and an olive branch are both symbols of peace, a heart and a red rose are symbols of love, and a four-leaf clover and a horseshoe are symbols of good luck. Encourage your children to think of other symbols. We recommend watching the Dollars and Cents movie together to go over U.S. symbols seen on our currency.

There are many symbols associated with the United States, but your children should learn and understand a few major symbols. The American flag is a symbol that represents the entire country. It has fifty stars that represent the fifty states and thirteen stripes that represent the colonies that became the first thirteen states. Many classrooms recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, which is an oath to respect the country. Each state has its own flag, which incorporates symbolic images. Review your state’s flag with your students and discuss each image on the flag. Each state also has other symbols, including a flower, mammal, bird, and even fossil. The national bird is the bald eagle, which was chosen because of its strength and beauty and because leaders wrongly believed that the bird was found only in the United States. Still, the bald eagle represents strength and freedom.