This second-grade inquiry leads students through an investigation of symbols and representation. By investigating the compelling question “What symbol best represents the United States?” students explore what each American symbol represents, how we use these symbols, and what we, as US citizens, value. At heart, a symbol is a word, object, or action that represents something else; in this inquiry, each symbol represents a set of ideas that Americans recognize and value. The study of symbols, citizenship, and community provides the foundation for students to think critically about values that p