TEKS:
4.14A
explain the meaning of various patriotic symbols and landmarks of
Texas, including the six flags that flew over Texas, the Alamo, and
the San Jacinto Monument
Social Studies Objective: We can identify the state seal and the reverse.
Proof: We can prove we met this objective by participating in a turn and talk discussion and coloring the state seal and the reverse.
Materials:
Reverse Seal–I can not share my reverse seal as it doesn’t belong to me. I have never found one online to print to color. If you can’t find or make one to color, you could always just show it. The reverse seal is on the floor of the capitol building in Austin, so I like mine to recognize it.
Vocabulary: seal, official, represent
Questions:
What do you think the seal is used for? Why do you think we chose each item on the seal to represent our state? What about the reverse? What do the symbols mean on the U.S. flag?
Lesson: I actually do this lesson over the course of three days worth of lessons. I do one symbol a day. I first show the symbol and ask what they think each part of the symbol represents. Sometimes I just call on students to share. Other times, I allow them to discuss with partners before sharing out. We then talk about what the symbols actually mean. I also show them my birth certificate with the Texas seal on it. We talk about what kind of documents might need the seal. We get to imprint the seal on a pamphlet when we go to the Capitol Visitors Center, so they are very excited to see that when we get there. These lessons often fall either right before the writing test or the week of. Either way, it works out well so that none of us are stressed about social studies at that point. Below are links to the meaning of the symbols of each symbol.
Texas State Seal Meaning of Olive Branch as a Symbol Oak Branch Symbol
Teaching Without Twitching 