Civics GovernmentThe Flag and Other Symbols Stand for Our Country
Justice stands in a sunny schoolyard holding a small American flag, pointing up at a bald eagle soaring overhead, while children gather around a flagpole to watch the flag rise into the blue morning sky.
- Identify at least two symbols that stand for the United States.
- Explain what it means for a symbol to represent our country.
- Describe one reason why a national symbol is important to people in the United States.
- Sort pictures into symbols of our country and everyday objects.
Key terms
- symbol
- A thing that stands for something bigger and more important than itself.
- national symbol
- A symbol that stands for a whole country and its people.
- national anthem
- A special song that stands for and honors a country.
- bald eagle
- A strong North American bird chosen to represent the United States.
What a Symbol Is
A symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea. A heart can stand for love, and a flag can stand for a whole country. The flag is just cloth, and the eagle is just a bird, but people have agreed that these things represent the United States. When everyone agrees on what a symbol means, it becomes a way for a whole country to share one idea together.
Symbols of the United States
The United States has several famous symbols. The American flag has red and white stripes and white stars on a blue field. The bald eagle is a powerful bird that lives only in North America. The national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, is a song people sing with pride. Each of these reminds everyone in the country that they belong to the same nation.
Why Symbols Bring People Together
Symbols matter because they help millions of people who have never met feel connected. When you see the flag rise or hear the anthem play, you share that moment with people across the whole country. A symbol is like a reminder that says, we all belong to this place together. That shared feeling is what makes national symbols so important to people.
Worked examples
You want to tell if something is a national symbol.
- Ask whether the thing reminds a whole country of who they are.
- Compare it to everyday objects like a backpack or a bicycle.
- If it stands for the whole nation, it is a national symbol.
Answer: The American flag is a national symbol because it reminds the whole country who they are.
Decide if a pizza slice is a national symbol.
- Ask if a pizza slice stands for the whole United States.
- Notice that pizza is an everyday food, not a sign of the nation.
- Compare it to the flag, which represents the entire country.
Answer: A pizza slice is not a national symbol; it is just an everyday object.
Activity
Sort each picture — does it stand for our country or is it just an everyday thing?
Practice
Name one symbol of the United States and what it stands for.
Why do symbols help people across a country feel connected together?
Common mistakes to avoid
- A symbol is only an everyday object.A symbol stands for a bigger idea, like a flag standing for a whole country.
- The bald eagle is a national pet people own.The bald eagle represents the country; it is not a pet anyone owns.
Check your understanding
Which of these is a symbol of the United States?
Justice says the bald eagle is a symbol of our country. What does that mean?
What is the name of the song that is a national symbol of the United States?
Recap
A symbol is a thing that stands for something bigger than itself, and national symbols like the American flag, the bald eagle, and The Star-Spangled Banner stand for the whole United States. They help people across the country feel connected and remember that they all belong together.
Reflect
Which national symbol means the most to you, and why?