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1st grade · Social Studies · Unit 11 of 13

American Symbols & Heroes

The Pledge, songs, holidays and heroes

What your child practices

The Pledge of Allegiance and patriotic songs, American symbols such as the flag and the Statue of Liberty, national holidays, and people from history all Americans can feel connected to.

New York State Learning Standards learning standard: 1.2a; 1.2b · historical figures, events, symbols, the Pledge of Allegiance and patriotic songs that connect Americans to a common heritage

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise to be loyal.
  2. Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.
  3. Lincoln helped end slavery. He is on the penny.

Example: What is the capital of the United States? It is named for the first president. Answer: Washington, D.C.

American Symbols & Heroes in New York

In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 11 of 13 in 1st grade Social Studies, after Earning, Saving & Sharing and before Rules, Laws & Leaders.

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: New York State Education Department (NYSED)

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

    What is the capital of the United States?

    • New York City
    • Washington, D.C.
    • Albany
    • Philadelphia

  2. Question 2

    Martin Luther King Jr. worked so all people would be treated…

    • like strangers
    • fairly
    • the same as kings
    • badly

  3. Question 3

    Folktales and stories about our past help us…

    • share a common history
    • tell the weather
    • grow food
    • count money

  4. Question 4

    Harriet Tubman helped people escape from…

    • slavery
    • the circus
    • school
    • a storm

  5. Question 5

    Abraham Lincoln was a president who helped end…

    • slavery
    • winter
    • recess
    • farming

  6. Question 6

    Why do we stand for the national anthem?

    • to see better
    • to stretch our legs
    • to show respect for our country
    • because it is short

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