NCSS Notable Trade Book Lesson Plan The Impossible Patriotism by Linda Skeers

This lesson seeks to delve into the minds of 3^rd- and 4^th-grade students for their grasp of the concept of patriotic symbols. Reading The Impossible Patriotism Project by Linda Skeers is beneficial for students as they compare and contrast their own emotions and processes of learning associated with the concept and usage of patriotic symbols to those of Caleb, the book’s main character. Students conduct research using the Internet to find patriotic symbols representing views of patriotism in various countries, such as China, Japan, Australia, England, France, or Canada. In the writing assignment, students will discuss their definitions of patriotic symbols and why the symbols are important to them. Students design and present their patriotic symbols to the class and explain their choices of design. Two rubrics have been designed and for assessment purposes: Rubric One assesses students’ written knowledge of patriotic symbols, and Rubric Two assesses students’ methods of arriving at what patriotic symbols are through artistic, visual, and creative models.