Wyoming Flag Educational Kit

Wyoming Flag Museum Kit Lesson Plan:

Grade Levels: 2-5, but modifications can be made for younger grades

Supplies: Wyoming flag, construction paper, scissors, glue, pencils, markers, colored pencils, rulers, lined paper,  CDs

 

Overview:

In 4th grade, students study Wyoming history and a large part of Wyoming's history is the flag.  In this lesson, the students will create their own flag and understand the meaning of the symbols in Wyoming's flag as well as their own flag.  When the activity is done, they will present their flags and write a paragraph explaining their flag and write a paragraph explaining their flag and symbols they chose.  The students will also be introduced to a song about  Wyoming's symbols.   

 

Questions to consider before the activity are as follows:

1.  What symbols would represent Wyoming and why? 

2.  What makes Wyoming what it is today?

3.  How do people make a living in Wyoming?

4.  Why do people like coming to visit Wyoming?

 

Tasks and Activities:

Before beginning the activity, ask the questions and discuss what symbols may represent  Wyoming.  After the students have presented their ideas, show the real Wyoming flag.  Hand out the sheet entitled Verna Keays, Wyoming's Flag Designer.  Read it aloud with the students and discuss which symbols are on the flag and why they were chosen.  Talk about  what other symbols could represent Wyoming and then talk about what symbols might represent them.  Introduce the Wyoming song and discuss the symbols that are in the song as well.

 

After the discussion, explain that the students are going to create their own flag that symbolizes their life and present it to the rest of the group.  Hand out materials that the students could use to  make the flag. awhile the students are working, play the Wyoming song.

 

When students complete their flag, they need to write a paragraph explaining why they chose their symbols and how the symbols represent themselves.  If students finish early, there are a couple of extension worksheets that have to do with Wyoming symbols.

 

When the students have completed their flag and paragraph, the students will present  their flag and read their paragraph to the rest of the group.

 

Standards Met

 

Social Studies:

Content Standard 5: People, Places, and  Environments:  Students demonstrate an understanding of interrelationship among people, places and environments.

             Benchmark 4:  Students describes relationship among people and place, and environments context in which they take place.

 

Language Arts:

Consent Standard 1:  Reading-Students use the reading process to demonstrate understanding literary and informational texts.

            Benchmark 1:  Students use the reading process to apply a variety of comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading.

            Benchmark 3:  Students demonstrate an understanding of informational texts.

 

Content Standard 2:  Writing-Students use the writing process and use appropriate strategies to write a variety of expository and expressive pieces.

            Benchmark 1:  Students apply writing skills to plan, draft, revise, and publish writing.

 

Content Standard 3:  Speaking and Listening-Students use listening and speaking skills for a variety of purposes and audiences.

            Benchmark 1:  Students speak on a focused topic with organization, volume, posture, pace, eye contact, and relevant gestures.

            Benchmark 2:  Students use speaking strategies appropriate to different types of presentations.

            Benchmark 4:  Students read aloud their own and others'  texts fluently and expressively.

            Benchmark 5:  Students speak and listen in small groups cooperatively.

 

Fine and Performing Arts:

Content Standard 1:  Creative Expression through Production-Students create, perform, exhibit, or participate in the arts.

            Benchmark 1:  Students use a variety of material and resource to explore the  arts.

            Benchmark 2:  Students exhibit or perform artistic works.

            Benchmark 3:  Students collaborate with others in the creative artistic process.

 

Content Standard 2:  Historical and Cultural Context-Students demonstrate an understanding of the arts in relation to history, cultures, and contemporary society.

            Benchmark 1:  Students explore specific artistic works belonging to particular cultures, times, and places.