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Lesson 2: Know Your State Flower
To prepare, read Background Information

Objectives
 Students will:

  • Learn about symbols and why they are important.
  • Investigate their state flower and how it fits into state history.

Central Concepts

  • Symbols are ways to communicate information or feelings without using words.
  • Symbols can hold great meaning and inspire powerful emotions.

Standards addressed: click here

Materials

  • Paper
  • Pencils
  • Internet or a state almanac

Discussion Topics

  • What is a symbol? (Something that represents something else through resemblance, association, or relationship; e.g., a lion is a courageous animal, and is a symbol of courage.)
  • Brainstorm a list of symbols that we see each day (traffic signs, product logos like the Nike "swoop" or McDonald’s golden arches, flags). Discuss what each on the list represents, and what makes these symbols effective — that is, what about it suggests the idea, object, or group it represents (e.g., McDonald's golden arches look like the restaurant's French fries in the shape of an M).
  • Why are symbols important to us? (They are a means of communication, identification, and explanation.)
  • In addition to your state flower, list other state symbols (e.g., state flag, state tree, state bird).

In-Class Activity

1. Ask students to research the following questions either by using the Internet or a state almanac. To discover the story behind your state's flower, check out these Web sites: E-referencedesk, 50 States, and Netstate, or visit your state’s main Web site. Ask students to compile their findings in a written report and/or through a class discussion.

  • What is your state's flower?
  • When did it become the state flower?
  • Why was it chosen?
  • Are there any special stories or myths about it?
  • When does it bloom?
  • What is its scientific name (for older students)?
  • Where does it grow? Does it need any special growing conditions?
  • What are some other common symbols used to represent the state (e.g., flowers, trees, birds)?

Extensions

Science - Investigate the life cycle and habitat of your state flower. If proper growing conditions are available, plant it in your classroom or on school grounds so that students can monitor its growth year-round.

History - Students can investigate state flowers as a whole by answering the following questions:
When was the first state flower announced?
What was the last state to have a state flower?
Why are flowers a good representation of the states?

Geography - Students can research other states and their representative flowers. Post a map of the United States and review the names of all the states. Assign a state to each student and ask them to answer the same questions that they answered about their own state flower for their assigned state.

Art - Ask students to draw or create a flower (using whatever media you have available) to be their personal symbol. They can either pick an existing flower or create a new one. After they finish their project, ask each student to explain to the class how their flower represents them.

Art - Give students time and resources to enter the “Draw Your State Flower National Contest” from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Elementary school-aged children (K-6) are invited to draw and submit pictures of their state flower. This national contest is designed to increase appreciation for our state flowers, and to raise awareness of the new National Garden in Washington, D.C. One winner will be selected from each state. Winners will receive a cash prize, and their entries will be displayed at the National Garden, which is part of the U.S. Botanic Garden, adjacent to the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The deadline for entries is November 1, 2005. For more details and entry guidelines, visit the Scotts Web site.

English - Ask students to identify a symbol that is important to them and write a paper explaining why it is meaningful. To make sure students clearly understand the meaning of a symbol, ask each to name the symbol they plan to write about before they begin to write (see examples mentioned above).

English - Explore the language of flowers. Flowers have been used to express meaning throughout history. Visit the FTD Web site to discover the meanings of some common flowers. Develop a class list of flowers and meanings, and then using pictures of flowers (old seed catalogs work well), have students create an encoded message for a friend or family member.

 

 

Copyright© 2005 National Gardening Association