Grades K–3
What Am I? Symbol Riddles
8 riddles about American symbols and landmarks (“I am a big bell with a crack in my side”): read the clue and write the answer from the word bank.
Social studies worksheet · American symbols and landmarks
How Our Flag Changed
Put 6 changes to the American flag in order, from 13 stars in 1777 to 50 stars in 1960, and learn why the stripes went back to 13.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- American symbols, National landmarks, Civic pride
What kids do
“The flag got new stars as new states joined. Number the flags 1 to 6 from oldest to newest, then write them on the timeline.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Congress says: 13 stripes
- 1818 forever, and a new star for
- 1960 50 stars, after Hawaii joins stars and 13 stripes, one
- 1959 49 stars, after Alaska joins
- 1795 15 stars and 15 stripes each new state
- 1. How many stars were on the first flag?
- 2. Which state gave the flag its 50th star?
- 3. How many years did the 48-star flag last?
Teacher tip
Show pictures of the old flags side by side and count the stars on each one together.
How to use it
- Read a short picture book about the symbol.
- Connect it to a national holiday coming up.
- Keep a classroom globe, a world map and a U.S. map in reach while kids work.
Watch for
Kids from other countries may have their own national symbols. Invite them to share.
Talk about it
- Why do countries have symbols?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
Take it further
Design a symbol for your school or town.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More american symbols and landmarks worksheets
Grades K–3
Design an American Symbol Stamp
Kids design a postage stamp for an American symbol or landmark, give it a price and write why the symbol matters.
Grades K–3
Color the American Flag
Color the U.S. flag, count its 13 stripes and 50 stars, and learn what each one stands for.
Grades K–3
American Symbols Match
Match 8 American symbols, like the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell and the White House, to what each one means.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.