The document provides a lesson plan about bald eagles in history for grades 5-8. The lesson objectives are for students to understand how the bald eagle became the US national symbol by reflecting American characteristics, and to develop research skills. Students will research the eagle's incorporation in US history and symbolism, discuss why it represents the nation, and write a paper about an animal that represents themselves with cited sources.

1. Bald Eagles in History
Introduction: Standing at three feet high and weighing in at fourteen pounds, the bald eagle
has become a symbol for numerous nations. With global status, the life of a bald eagle
continues to captivate humans.
Subject Areas: English and History
Grade Level: 5-8
Lesson Objectives:
1) Student’s will be able to find correlations between characteristics of the eagle and
how those characteristics reflect what America represents
2) Understand why the bald eagle is the U.S.’s national symbol
3) Understand how history shapes the future
4) Understand the concept of symbolization
5) Develop research/citation skills
Estimated Time: 2 class periods
Materials Needed:
1) A computer to research eagle facts and how the bald eagle is incorporated in the
United States history
2) Websites with eagle facts and history facts:
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/artifact/Sculpture_25_00003.htm
http://www.eagles.org/programs/eagle-facts/american-indian.php
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/usa/native-american-eagle-symbols/2270
Procedures:
1) Begin the class period by discussing how the eagle became the symbol of our
nation.
2) Then pose the question of why the students think that the bald eagle is the symbol
of our nation.
3) Begin a class discussion with this question.
4) As homework, the students could write a 1-2 page paper on what animal would
represent themselves and why.
5) Give students twenty minutes to do in class research on the animal they think best
represents themselves.
6) The students will then complete any research not done in class and write their
papers due in two days after in class research is done.
7) All websites must be cited in a bibliography

2. Assessment Suggestions:
1) Students could receive participation grades for the in class discussion
2) Students could be scored on the organization, accuracy, punctuation, creativity, and
bibliography for their papers.