Traveling Resource Trunks

Symbols and Images of Kansas

Grades Pre-K to 2

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

Symbols and Images of Kansas Trunk 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 avaition, 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 - Text 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.

Notes about using Traveling Resource Trunks:

Traveling resource trunks are loaned out within the state of Kansas. They are available for four weeks on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge except for shipping. Borrowers who do not pick up their trunks are responsible for round trip shipping costs. Reservations should be made two weeks in advance.

Please inventory trunks when you receive them and before you return them. An inventory sheet is provided in all trunks for your use. Return trunks in the same condition that you received them.

Objects and materials in the trunks are to be used as the instructor sees fit; however, please keep in mind that many students will be using the trunk after you this year and in the years to come. Use is encouraged; overuse, damage, and mutilation are not.

The materials included in this trunk may be reproduced for educational purposes only and must credit the Kansas Historical Society. Reproductions of these materials for any other purpose is prohibited without written permission from the Kansas Historical Society.

To assure that trunks you use will reach their next destination in time we ask that trunks be returned by their scheduled return date. Allow at least two days shipping time. If you have any questions or concerns contact the Education and Outreach Division of the Kansas Historical Society, 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 251, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.

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 Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 414, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.

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