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2nd grade · Social Studies · Unit 10 of 10

Alaska's Symbols

The flag, the capital and what makes Alaska special

What your child practices

Alaska's state symbols and what they stand for: the flag Benny Benson designed, the capital and the Governor, the forget-me-not, willow ptarmigan, Sitka spruce, moose and king salmon, plus Denali, the midnight sun and Alaska's neighbors.

Alaska content standards learning standard: SS.2.1.9.1; SS.2.1.20.1 · the meaning of Alaska's state symbols, and the geographical and cultural features that make Alaska distinct

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Juneau is Alaska's capital. Anchorage is its biggest city.
  2. The North Star is on Alaska's flag because it is the most northern state.
  3. Dog mushing is the state sport.

Example: What is the capital city of Alaska? The biggest city is Anchorage, but that is not the capital. The capital is Juneau. Answer: Juneau

Alaska's Symbols in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 10 of 10 in 2nd grade Social Studies, after Maps of Our World.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which whale is Alaska's state marine mammal?

    • the bowhead whale
    • the dolphin
    • the orca

  2. Question 2

    How many states are in the United States?

    • 50
    • 49
    • 13

  3. Question 3

    Why do willow ptarmigan turn white in winter?

    • to look like clouds
    • to stay cool
    • to hide in the snow

  4. Question 4

    Which fish is Alaska's state fish?

    • the goldfish
    • the shark
    • the king salmon

  5. Question 5

    Which is Alaska's biggest city?

    • Juneau
    • Nome
    • Anchorage

  6. Question 6

    Which famous sled dog race goes from Anchorage to Nome?

    • the Kentucky Derby
    • the Tour de France
    • the Iditarod

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