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This lesson seeks to delve into the minds of 3^rd- and 4^th-grade students for their grasp of the concept of patriotic symbols. Reading The Impossible Patriotism Project by Linda Skeers is beneficial for students as they compare and contrast their own emotions and processes of learning associated with the concept and usage of patriotic symbols to those of Caleb, the book’s main character. Students conduct research using the Internet to find patriotic symbols representing views of patriotism in various countries, such as China, Japan, Australia, England, France, or Canada. In the writing assignment, students will discuss their definitions of patriotic symbols and why the symbols are important to them. Students design and present their patriotic symbols to the class and explain their choices of design. Two rubrics have been designed and for assessment purposes: Rubric One assesses students’ written knowledge of patriotic symbols, and Rubric Two assesses students’ methods of arriving at what patriotic symbols are through artistic, visual, and creative models.

In this lesson students investigate hoaxes in history, propaganda resulting from them, and how technology and media helped grow them. Reading The Giant and How He Humbugged America by Jim Murphy involves students in examining how hoaxes and propaganda throughout history have affected American life and have changed some people’s thinking.

One Green Apple, by Eve Bunting, challenges students to compare and contrast their feelings about fitting in and peer pressure, against those of Farah’s, the book’s main character. This lesson involves students in working in small groups to reflect on a time when they didn’t fit in or were the new person in a situation. Students also work to activate their prior knowledge of cultural similarities and differences that aid in forming friendships. Internet research is used to investigate similarities and differences between a student’s own and other ethnic cultures. Students are encouraged to consider how educating oneself about another’s culture aids in understanding the actions and feelings of others and minimizing bullying. This lesson also serves as a segue into teaching students words from other languages associated with cultures and ethnicities from other countries.

The Blessing Cup, by Patricia Polacco, may be used to provide insight into the lives of the Jewish as they were embattled and forced to evacuate Russia. This lesson seeks to probe students’ thinking for their understanding of the difference in primary and secondary sources and how they are useful for teaching and learning about historical events, people, their cultures, and their family traditions. Students work in small groups to research Jewish culture, traditions, and religious rites as noted in the book, as well as examine how the tea set serves to teach primary sources within a text. Students identify primary sources to describe their own history.