This is lesson 2 in the text unit series for The Great Seal of the United States by Norman Pearl, focusing on pages 4-21. Students will develop their own definition for targeted civics vocabulary words and non-linguistic representations to deepen their knowledge of academic language. They will begin to build background knowledge as they continue to discover how the Great Seal of the United States was created.

This ELA/Civics Integrated Text Unit is designed to support students with the integration of civics into the ELA classroom through the reading and studying of Norman Pearl’s book The Great Seal of the United States. Throughout the unit, students will identify new vocabulary, describe both Florida and USA seals, as well as the importance of national symbols and their meaning. Using timelines, graphic organizers, worksheets, and other activities they will connect these symbols to other documents like the Declaration of Independence and the understanding of unalienable rights. Each lesson in this series leads to a culminating activity in which students will use their knowledge and understanding of symbols and relevant details to create their own Great Seal.

This resource uses a book that you will need to obtain before implementing the resource.