Name: Tudor, Rocky
E-mail: RockyTudor@prodigy.net
Topic: The Great Seal of Arkansas
Grade: 3rd
Time: 1
Ark. Hist. Framework: TCC 1.5

Objective: The student will be able to identify the state seal and the emblems associated with the seal.

Set: Ask students if they are familiar with the national seal or any of the objects on the national seal, such as the eagle.

Materials: A picture of the state and national seal.  A diagram of the state seal.  A fill-in-the-blank quiz of the seal.

Key Terms: Regnat Populus, sheaf of wheat, steamboat, liberty, justice, beehive

Key Facts: The seal was adopted in basic form in 1864, and it's current form in 1907. The shield is composed of a steamboat at the top, a beehive and plow in middle, and a sheaf of wheat at the bottom.  Theses symbolize industrial and agricultural wealth.  Behind the shield is an eagle, holding a scroll in its beak, inscribed "Regnat Populus", which means The people rule (state motto) The Angel of Mercy, The Sword of Justice and Goddess of Liberty surround the bald eagle.

Activities: Students will review the state seal and the emblems contained within the seal.  Students will label a diagram of the seal on a worksheet.  Define and discuss the key terms and facts and how they relate to the economy and beliefs of the people of the state.  Have students make a Venn Diagram comparing the National Seal and State Seal.

Closure: In small groups, have students design their own of the things that they see in Arkansas today.

Assessment: The students would be given a fill-in-the-blank test over the ten emblems contained within the seal.

Resources: http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/activity/st_seal.html
http://www.usscouts.org/flag/sealmotto.html
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/seals/ar_seal.html

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