Traveling Resource TrunksSymbols & Images of Kansas
IntroductionThis trunk examines symbols that represent Kansas. Symbols are part of communication just like words and sounds. A symbols stand for thoughts, commands, and feelings. Symbols are part of our everyday lives. A smiley face sticker means "good job" or that someone is happy. A street sign with people walking in a crosswalk means a school crossing. Some symbols are made through body movements instead of bing written down. A person standing across the room swinging their arm in a circular motion with their palm moving back towards their body is probably trying to say "Come on." Someone holding their arm straight out with their palm away from them is trying to say "Stop." Special symbols also come to represent special organizations, places, etc. Schools often have school colors or a school mascot. Plants, animals, birds, and more are often chosen by state legislatures to represent their state. For example, the Western Meadowlark is the state bird of Kansas. Symbols such as this are official state symbols. Other things also come to mind when thinking of a specific state. When people think of Kansas pictures of cowboys, airplanes, wheat, and tornadoes often flash through their heads. These are images or unofficial symbols of the state. This trunk examines the concept of what a symbol is and then looks closely at the official state symbols of Kansas as well as some unofficial symbols, or images. ContentThe curriculum is geared for teaching children ages three through the second grade and is divided into twenty lessons. Each lesson is complete in itself and does not require information from other lessons in the manual. Thus lessons may be done in any order. Lesson number fifteen may be done without having completed lessons one through fourteen. Many of the lessons may be modified for use with other ages. For additional craft activities or worksheets to accompany a lesson see the Symbols of Kansas Activity Book included in this trunk. The manual is laid out in three sections. The first portion, "A Place to Begin" examines the concepts of what Kansas and symbols are. The second section of the manual, "Official Symbols of Kansas," looks at those things that have been officially designated by the state legislature as symbols of Kansas. The third part of the manual, "Images of Kansas," examines unofficial symbols of Kansas. These are things that come to mind when Kansas is thought of but have not been designated by the legislature to represent Kansas. The manual contains a variety of materials for your use. Each lesson contains objectives, historical background information, a vocabulary list, and directions for the activity in the lesson. The basic activities will meet the objectives of the lesson. Extended activities are provided for further study or to adjust the curriculum level for use with a variety of age groups. Worksheets are located at the end of the lessons they accompany. List of Trunk ContentsManual |
|
 |
