GRASPS

Grade Level: K

Subject: Social Studies

Topic: United States Symbols

Created By: Alison Wenz

Performance Task:

Goal – The goal of this activity is for the kindergarten students to demonstrate their abilities to describe and explain important American symbols.

Role - The students will function as knowledgeable hosts and hostesses for the President of the United States, who is visiting our classroom.

Audience – The audience will be President Obama (the principal of the school), and the teacher, who will assist the students in their roles as hosts and hostesses for the President’s visit.

Situation – The students will prepare for the President’s visit by creating stations around the room that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of important American symbols. The President will be guided around the room by the teacher to six groups of students, each group representing one of the main symbols we have discussed throughout our unit. The American flag and the pledge of allegiance will be the focus of the first station, the bald eagle will be the focus of the second station, the White House will be the focus of the third station, the Lincoln Memorial will be the focus of the fourth station, the Washington Monument will be the focus of the fifth station, and the Star Spangled Banner will be the focus of the sixth station. As the President visits each station, the students will present information about the symbol that they are representing.

Product/Performance – The students will work as teams to present their American symbols to the President through words and/or songs. Each student will have a specific role to play in their team’s performance. In their presentations, the students will use pictures of examples of their symbols and explain the importance of their symbols. Each student will be expected to work nicely in their group and participate in their team’s presentation.

Standards/Criteria for Success – See rubric.

Rubric for American Symbols Unit:

Item	Thumbs Up	Thumbs in Middle	Thumbs Down
I used a picture or example to tell about my American symbol. (5 points)
I can explain why my American symbol is important. (5 points)
I can work with a team by doing my job and sharing ideas. (5 points)