Our Country's Symbols, Holidays and Then and Now: Grade 1 Study Guide
A country has symbols and holidays that help people feel part of a shared community.
Americans share symbols that stand for their country. The flag has 13 stripes for the original colonies and 50 stars for the states. The bald eagle is the national bird. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor stands for freedom. The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty said in many schools.
National holidays help people remember important events and people: Independence Day on July 4 celebrates the nation's founding, Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors a leader for civil rights, and Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving all have their own meanings.
Symbols and what they mean
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| Flag (stars and stripes) | 50 states, 13 original colonies |
| Bald eagle | Strength and freedom |
| Statue of Liberty | Freedom and welcome |
| Liberty Bell | Independence |
| Capitol building | Where Congress makes laws |
Then and now
History is about the past. Old photographs, objects and stories tell us how things were different: people wrote letters instead of texting, washed clothes by hand and traveled by horse or train. Putting events in order uses a timeline: past, present and future. Children can make a timeline of their own life: born, walked, first day of school, now.
What do you see?
What is the same? What is different?
Which came first?
What was it like when you were little?
Rules and jobs in a community
Rules help people stay safe and be fair, in the classroom, on the playground and in town. Leaders such as mayors and principals help make and carry out rules. People earn money by working at jobs and can use it to buy goods (things you can touch, such as bread) and services (work done for you, like a haircut).
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which came first, a horse and carriage or a car? The horse and carriage. Example: Is a doctor's visit a good or a service? A service. Common mistakes: thinking the flag's stars are for the original colonies (they are for today's 50 states, the stripes for the 13 colonies) and mixing past and present. Check dates and ask 'how do you know?'.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. 50 stars for the 50 states and 13 stripes for the original colonies. 2. Example: born, started school, learned to ride a bike. 3. Example: Good: a loaf of bread. Service: a haircut.
✨ Key Takeaways
- The flag, eagle and Statue of Liberty are national symbols.
- Holidays help us remember people and events.
- A timeline puts events in order.
- Goods are things; services are work done for you.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- What do the stars and stripes on the flag stand for?
- Make a timeline with three events from your life.
- Name one good and one service.