National Symbols

A WebQuest on wildlife in national symbols.

Designed by Amber Redoble
redo3002@pacificu.edu

Introduction
Attention Kunert Cove citizens! Congratulations on the formation of your own fantasy islands! They are absolutely creative and wonderful! But what’s an island without its own national symbol? A national symbol is a visual representation of what a country believes in, but in your case it’s your fantasy island. National symbols usually include wildlife. Countries choose certain wildlife because it relates to and/or represents what the country believes in.

Think about your fantasy island and think about you. What do you believe in? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How will you represent your beliefs?

The Task

Now that your islands are formed and fully running, your task now is to create a national symbol for your fantasy island. You may choose any wildlife, plant or animal, as long as it resembles and symbolizes your island’s beliefs, strengths, and so on. Be thoughtful about the wildlife and national symbol you choose to create for your island. Remember, when travelers are curious about your island, they will see your national symbol and it will help them understand what your island is all about!

The Process

1. 1.Please research and explore a variety of wildlife and different national symbols around the world. You may use the reference books provided or the Internet.
   

2. 2.After researching wildlife and national symbols, remember to think about your island and what your beliefs are. Use your research to help you create your very own national symbol. Be creative and original! Make sure the wildlife you choose is a representation of your island and will symbolize you and your island.
   

3. 3.Here are some websites of a variety of national symbols to give you some ideas and also some about wildlife:
       -http://lib.colostate.edu/wildlife/types.html
       -http://oregonexplorer.info/wildlife/WildlifeHabitatClassification
       -http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Lists/State_symbols.html
       -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:National_symbols_by_nation
                 
   

4. 4.Here are some books, but you aren’t limited to using them, that you could use to help your creative minds:
       -National Geographic illustrated guide to wildlife: from your back door to the great outdoors
       -Central and Eastern European Wildlife; By Gerard Gorman
       -African Wildlife: A Photographic Safari; By Stephen J. Krasemann
       -Garden Wildlife; By Christine Lavelle
       -Grassland Wildlife; By Kamini Khanduri
       -Rainforest Wildlife; By Antonia Cunningham
       -Mountain Wildlife; By Anna Claybourne
       -Ocean Animals; By Sonya Newland
   

5. 5.After gathering the information you need to create a national symbol, you may begin! The only requirement that your national symbol must contain is any sort of wildlife.
   

6. 6.At the end of the project, you will be presenting your national symbols to your classmates! During the presentation remember to include:
       -The wildlife you chose
       -Why you chose that particular wildlife (the significance of the wildlife)
   

Evaluation

Your national symbol will be evaluated by the rubric below. The total score will be based on your own individual work.  You are expected to conduct research, design on poster paper your national symbol, and lastly present your national symbols to your fellow classmates.

               

Conclusion

By the end of this project, you should have completed a wildlife national symbol for your fantasy island. You have learned the meaning behind chosen wildlife on a variety of national symbols. So when you come across a national symbol you have not seen before try to think about the use of wildlife and the significance or representation behind it.

Credits & References

image references: http://www.sinofourway.com/flag/3732.html (New Zealand national symbol)

http://www.supportstore.com/the-great-seal-of-the-usa-magnet.html (United States of America national symbol)

My lesson plan was derived from Wildlife in National Symbols lesson in Project WILD: K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide.