#17 Third Competition for Teacher Generated Materials / National Symbols / Grade 7

#17 Third Competition for Teacher Generated Materials / National Symbols / Grade 7

Overall Objective: Students will be able to practice reading skills with a short text about a national symbol. Students will know what national symbol is and understand what the symbol represents. They will be able to visually identify the symbol.

Language Objective: Students will be able to describe the bald eagle      using new vocabulary such as beak, eyesight, talon, wingspan, nest, twig, claw, lay, curved, dive, grab.

Civic Education Objective: Students will identify the purpose or reason of the symbol. They will be able to comprehend the significance of the Bald Eagle to the United States of America and analyze details of this symbol.

Curriculum Connection: Language and cultural skills developed during the lesson are outlined in the Georgian English Language Curriculum.

Class Context and Needs: Elementary classroom, basic level learners. 7 graders; Level A2. There are 14 students in the class. There are not any disabled students or students with special needs.

Materials: Text, handouts, chalk, board, laptop, pictures, slideshow.

Activities: Warm up, brainstorming, reading, speaking, summarizing.

Assessment: Analyses sheet using new vocabulary. 

Overall Objective:  Students will be able to practice reading skills with a short text about a national symbol. Students will know what national symbol is and understand what the symbol represents. They will be able to visually identify the symbol. Language Objective: Students will be able to describe the bald eagle      using new vocabulary such as beak, eyesight, talon, wingspan, nest, twig, claw, lay, curved, dive, grab. Civic Objective:  Students will identify the purpose or reason of the symbol. They will be able to comprehend the significance of the Bald Eagle to the United States of America and analyze details of this symbol.
Stage of Lesson	Activity	Time
Warm Up	Ask the class what the national symbol is. Let them make several guesses. In groups, have students brainstorm why this is the symbol, what it represents, what it says about the country, and if it is fitting. For example, the US has the bald eagle as its symbol. It represents freedom, liberty, and strength. Let groups share their ideas.	7 min
Activity 1	Reading the questions and answers. Reading for details. Teacher is showing students pictures. Watching the slideshow. Writing out and analyzing  new vocabulary.	10-12 min
Activity 2	In pairs. Doing some exercises. Reading them aloud.	7-10 min
Activity 3	1. Filling the crossword. 2. Speaking. Asking students how it would be different if the national symbol were a poisonous snake, a cigarette, or a gun. What would it have represented?	5 min
Assessment	Working with the entire class, complete the Analysis Sheet together step-by-step while viewing the image. Use the Analysis Sheet questions to guide students through the process: • What do you see? (e.g., an eagle, a yellow beak, etc.) • What do you think you know about this symbol? • What do you want to know?	10-12 min

American Bald Eagle

The American Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States. Since 1782, it has represented the spirit and freedom of the American people. On today's journey, you will learn interesting facts about eagles and see pictures them flying, eating, and building nests.

What is the National Bird of the United States?

• The National Bird of the United States is the American Bald Eagle.  
•  It was adopted as the National Bird in 1782.

Where do most bald eagles live?

• Most bald eagles live in Canada and Alaska.
• One half of the 100,000 bald eagles alive today live in Alaska.

What do bald eagles look like?

• Bald eagles have white feathers on their heads and brown feathers on their bodies. Their beaks are yellow and curved.

Do eagles have excellent eyesight?

• Yes, they do.

What color are their feet?

• Eagles have yellow feet with sharp, black, curved talons. They use their talons to catch fish.

What is the wingspan of the bald eagle?

• The wingspan of the adult female bald eagle is 2.1 meters. For males it is 2 meters. Females weigh about  5.8 kg and males weigh  4.1 kg.

Do bald eagles live in large groups?

• No. They live in small groups, and they usually keep the same mate for life. Couples often sit together in trees.

How old are female bald eagles when they start laying eggs?

• Female bald eagles are 4-5 years old when they start laying eggs. They lay 2-3 eggs a year.

Where do bald eagles keep their eggs?

• They keep them in large nests that they build from twigs. They usually build their nests in the top of tall trees.

What do bald eagles eat?

• They eat fish, small birds, rats and mice, and food in trash cans.
• When eagles see a fish in the water, they dive down and grab it with their sharp claws.

What animal is on the back of the American quarter?

• The American Bald Eagle is on the back of American quarters.

What is the American Bald Eagle on the Great Seal of the United States holding?

• It is holding an olive branch and arrows.
• The olive branch represents peace and the arrows represent war.

 American Bald Eagle 

 A. Write the correct letters on the lines. 

1.  round symbol of the USA   _____                    i.  wings 
2.  sharp body parts used to grab fish   _____      h.  4-5 years old 
3.  coin worth 25 cents   _____                           g.  claws 
4.  weight of males in lbs.   _____                       f.  fish 
5.  favorite food of eagles   _____                       d.  Great Seal 
6.  body parts used to fly   _____                        c.  nine 
7.  color of beak   _____                                     b.  quarter 
8.  number of eggs females lay   _____                e.  white 
9.  age when females lay eggs   _____                 j.  2-3 per year 
10.  color of feathers on head   _____                  a.  yellow 

B. Circle TRUE or FALSE. 

1.  Bald eagles do not eat meat.  TRUE  FALSE
2.  Eagles have great eyesight.  TRUE  FALSE
3.  Bald eagles have many mates.  TRUE  FALSE
4.  A turkey is on the Great Seal of the USA.  TRUE  FALSE
5.  The back of a penny has a bald eagle on it.  TRUE  FALSE

C. Put the sentences in order. 

1.  First  _____  a.  Its picture is on the Great Seal. 
2.  Second  _____  b.  You can see the seal on the back of dollars. 
3.  Third  _____  c.  Next time you have a dollar, turn it over. 
4. Fourth  _____  d.  The bald eagle is a symbol of the USA. 
5.  Fifth  _____  e.  You will see a picture of the Great Seal. 


                                 American Bald Eagle

                                  National Bird of the United States

Analysis  Sheet

Name____________________________________

What do you see?

What do you think you know about this symbol? (use new vocabulary)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What would you like to find out about this symbol?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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