Traveling Resource Trunks

Symbols and Images of Kansas

Grades Pre-K to 2

Ideas for using this trunk with different ages and youth groups.

Kansas, the land of Cottonwoods, Meadowlarks, Ornate Box Turtles, Honeybees, and Barred Tiger Salamanders! Learn about these and other symbols of Kansas. Explore Kansas images, such as aviation, weather, and wheat. In the trunk you'll find puppets, a section of honeycomb, videos, books, hats, a Kansas flag puzzle, felt board activities, and a board game. The teacher's manual provides lessons for each of the Kansas symbols. Included in this trunk is a copy of the Kansas Images -- An Activity Book for Children.

The Museum Store carries The Cottonwood Grove, Kansas Images: An Activity Book for Children, engineers hats, and many other Kansas symbols related items.

Trunk Specifications

Weight: 35 lbs.
Dimensions: 31" x 22" x 9"
Insure for $500 when shipping

Kansas Curricular Standards Connections

Manual

Introduction, List of Trunk Contents
Timeline of Kansas State Symbols

Lessons

Where to Begin

• Where is Kansas? - Use a United States map to introduce the location of Kansas. Students draw themselves inside an outline map of Kansas.
• What is a Symbol? - Take a "symbols" walk.

Official Symbols of Kansas

• The Game of Kansas Symbols - Play a board game as a class or in small groups.
• American Buffalo - Read about the buffalo and do a "felt board" activity.
• Ornate Box Turtle - Read a story about a turtle named Fred and use a turtle puppet.
• Western Meadowlark - Talk about the difference in the plumage, bills, and feet of various birds and make a stand-up paper meadowlark.
• Honeybee - Do a honeybee dance.
• Barred Tiger Salamander - Explore the life cycle of an amphibian.
• Wild Native Sunflower - Make sunflower necklaces.
• Cottonwood Tree - Read a story about learning history from a tree and a make a cottonwood leaf tipi.
• State Seal and Flag - Recreate the state seal and flag on a felt board.
• Harney Silt Loam - Make healthy soil.
• "Home on the Range," "The Kansas March," and "Here's Kansas" - Make musical instruments.

Images of Kansas


• The Railroad - Make a picture train using paper shapes.
• Aviation in Kansas - Test experimental aircraft.
• Jobs in Aviation - Learn about aviation related jobs using the felt board and finger puppets.
• The Cattle Industry - Explore the life of the cowboy on a cattle drive through pictures and a cowboy song.
• Wheat in Kansas - Create a sequence book about growing and processing wheat.
• Kansas Weather - Chart the weather.
• The Jayhawk - Discuss tall tales with a puppet.

Looking for other programs or activities?

The Kansas Historical Society has a variety of programs available for your use including other traveling resource trunks; traveling exhibits; guided tours of state historic sites, the state Capitol, and the Kansas Museum of History; and online resources. For more information on these contact the Education and Outreach Division at 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 419, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.

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