Our State Symbols Fact File

4th Grade Social StudiesState History4 pages

About this worksheet

Any of the 50 states works with this 4-page fact file for 4th grade social studies. Students record their state's capital, date of statehood, motto, and nickname and sketch the flag. Then they find the state bird, flower, and tree and research why lawmakers chose each one. A Did You Know box holds one surprising fact. The last task asks which symbol best represents the state, backed by evidence, the kind of claim C3 Framework D3.4.3-5 describes. The answer key is a completed Texas example, from Austin and December 29, 1845 to the pecan tree.

Remix for free

Page 1 of 4

Our State Symbols Fact File: State History - page 1
Our State Symbols Fact File: State History - page 2
Our State Symbols Fact File: State History - page 3
Our State Symbols Fact File: State History - page 4

When this preview is focused, use the left and right arrow keys to move between pages.

Curriculum objectives covered

D3.1.3-5

“Gather relevant information from multiple sources while using the origin, structure, and context to guide the selection.”

The profile table and the three "Why was it chosen?" boxes send students to reliable sources, as the opening directions remind them.

D3.4.3-5

“Use evidence to develop claims in response to compelling questions.”

Form a Claim asks students to pick the symbol that best represents the state and back it with a fact from their research.

What's inside this worksheet

My State Profile

Students draw or stick a picture of the state flag, then fill a table with State Name, Capital City, Date of Statehood, State Motto, and State Nickname.

State Symbols

For the state bird, flower, and tree, students write the name and answer "Why was it chosen?" from their research.

Did You Know

One box for a surprising or unusual fact found while researching.

Form a Claim

Students choose the bird, flower, tree, or nickname as the best symbol for the state and support the choice with at least one fact.

Answer Key

A Texas model: the mockingbird as a fierce protector of its home, the bluebonnet as a tribute to pioneer women, the pecan chosen in 1919, and a claim for "The Lone Star State."

How teachers use it

Computer lab session

Expect the "Why was it chosen?" boxes to take the longest. Point students to your state legislature or secretary of state website, where symbol pages usually give the reason and the year.

Show the Texas model

Project the Texas key for a minute before students start. Seeing "Friendship" as the motto and "The Lone Star State" as the nickname stops students from mixing up those two rows.

Gallery walk

If students research different states, such as one where family lives, tape the Form a Claim boxes around the room and let classmates compare evidence.

More 4th Grade Social Studies worksheets

US RegionsGovernment and CivicsEconomics

Get started today

Create your own lesson plans, worksheets, and classroom activities in minutes using our AI-powered tools.

Try Chalkie for free