NJ Lessons

Elementary Article

New Jersey Symbols

nj great seal

Grade Level: Elementary

Objectives: Explain the symbolism and value of the New Jersey flag, tree, flower, bird, animal, fish and fruit.

New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Social Studies (2020):

  • 6.1.2.CivicsPD.1: Engage in discussions effectively by asking questions, considering facts, listening to the ideas of others, and sharing opinions.
  • 6.1.2.CivicsDP.1: Explain how national symbols reflect on American values and principles.
  • 6.1.2.CivicsDP.3 Explain how historical symbols, monuments and holidays reflect the shared values, principles, and beliefs of the American identity.
  • 6.1.2.HistorySE.1: Use examples of regional folk heroes, stories, and/or songs and make inferences about how they have contributed to the development of a culture's history.
  • 6.1.2.HistorySE.3: Use historical data from a variety of sources to investigate the development of a local community (e.g., origins of its name, originating members, important historical events and places).

Common Core ELA Standards

  • RI.2.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
  • RI.2.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.
  • RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
  • RI.2.5 Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
  • RI.2.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
  • SL.2.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • SL.2.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
  • SL.2.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
  • SL.2.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

Procedures/Activities

What are symbols of New Jersey? Divide into groups and find out!

Have each group find out information about one of the following:

  1. New Jersey’s state flag
  2. New Jersey’s state flower
  3. New Jersey’s state tree
  4. New Jersey’s state animal
  5. New Jersey’s state bird
  6. New Jersey’s state fish
  7. New Jersey’s state fruit

Have each group share their findings with the rest of the class.

New Jersey’s State Flag

nj state flag

The New Jersey State Flag was adopted in 1896. Its official color is buff, which is a yellowish-tan color. The colors of the state flag, buff and dark blue (Jersey blue), were the colors George Washington chose for the flag of New Jersey's army regiments during the Revolutionary War. The state seal is featured on the flag. The state seal includes five symbols which are on the state flag. What are they? 1. The horse with the helmet 2. The woman with the corpucopia (Ceres) 3. The woman with the staff (Liberty) 4. The shield with three plows 5. Th scroll with :”Liberty and Propserity”. What is the significance of the horse and helmet? The woman with the cornucopia? The woman with the staff? The shield with the three plows? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out and prepare a short oral report for your class.

New Jersey’s State Flower: The Violet

violet

Why is the violet the state flower? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out.

New Jersey’s State Tree: The Red Oak

red oak

Why is the red oak the state tree? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out.

New Jersey’s State Bird: The Goldfinch

goldfinch

Why is the goldfinch the state bird? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out

New Jersey’s State Animal: The Horse

horse

Why is the horse NJ’s state animal? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out

New Jersey’s State Fish: The Brook Trout

brook trout

Why is the brook trout the state fish? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out.

New Jersey’s State Fruit: Blueberries

blueberries

Why is the blueberry NJ’s state fruit? Go to http://www.state.nj.us/nj/about/facts/symbols/ to find out.

What other states grow blueberries? Where are blueberries grown in New Jersey? Have you ever picked blueberries?

Conclusions:

  • What is a symbol? A symbol is an object that represents, stands for, or suggests an idea, belief, action, or material entity. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, or visual images and are used to convey ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite.
  • Why is it important to have symbols that represent ideas or beliefs?
  • How do symbols bring us together?