American Symbols and U.S. Map Worksheet for 6-Year-Olds

Instructions

1. Read each question carefully.
2. Circle, draw, match, or write your answer as directed.
3. Use the map grid to find the United States and the three states.
4. Remember: north is up, south is down, east is right, and west is left.
5. Complete the optional challenge if you are ready.

Learning Goals

I can:

• Recognize important symbols of the United States.
• Find the United States on a map.
• Locate Missouri, California, and New York.
• Use a compass rose to describe direction.

1. American Symbols

The United States has special symbols. Match each symbol to its meaning.

Word bank: freedom and welcome — strength and independence — stars and stripes

2. Choose the Correct Answer

Circle the best answer.

1. Which symbol is a large statue in New York Harbor?

   • Statue of Liberty
   • Bald Eagle
   • Flag

2. Which animal is a symbol of the United States?

   • Bald Eagle
   • Penguin
   • Rabbit

3. Which symbol has stars and stripes?

   • Statue of Liberty
   • Flag
   • Bald Eagle

4. The Statue of Liberty helps remind people of:

   • freedom and welcome
   • snow and winter
   • farms and animals

3. Find the United States

The United States is a country in North America. On the map grid below, circle USA.

             NORTH
               ↑
  ┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
  │ WA │ MT │ ND │ MN │ WI │ MI │     │
  ├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤

WEST │ OR │ ID │ WY │ SD │ IA │ IL │ IN │ EAST ← ├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤ → │ CA │ NV │ UT │ CO │ NE │ MO │ OH │ ├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤ │ AZ │ NM │ KS │ OK │ AR │ TN │ KY │ ├────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┼────┤ │ TX │ │ │ LA │ MS │ AL │ GA │ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ ↓ SOUTH

Map key: Each two-letter label is an abbreviation for a state. For example, CA means California.

1. The map above shows part of the __.
2. Circle CA. California is on the __ coast. Hint: It is on the left side of the map.
3. Circle MO. Missouri is near the __ of the map.
4. Circle NY on a classroom map, atlas, or wall map. New York is on the __ coast. Hint: It is in the northeastern United States.

4. State Detective Table

Complete the table. Use the example to help you.

5. Compass Rose Practice

A compass rose shows direction.

               N
               ↑
               |
         W ←───┼───→ E
               |
               ↓
               S

Write north, south, east, or west.

1. Up on a map is __.
2. Down on a map is __.
3. Right on a map is __.
4. Left on a map is __.

6. Use Directions on the Map

Look at the map grid in Section 3. Complete each sentence.

1. California is __ of Missouri.
2. Missouri is __ of Minnesota.
3. Illinois is __ of Missouri.
4. Texas is __ of Missouri.
5. Missouri is __ of Texas.

7. Draw and Label

Draw a compass rose in the space below. Label N, S, E, and W.

Draw one star for each symbol:

• Draw a star next to the symbol that represents freedom and welcome.
• Draw a star next to the bird that represents strength and independence.
• Draw a star next to the symbol with stars and stripes.

8. Real-World Map Mission

Imagine that you are planning a trip across the United States.

1. You begin in California. To travel toward Missouri, would you travel mostly east or west? __
2. From Missouri, to travel toward New York, would you travel mostly east or west? __
3. Which symbol might you see in New York Harbor? __
4. Which symbol might you see flying outside a school? __

Optional Challenge

1. Find New York on a map. Is New York north or south of Missouri? __
2. Find California on a map. Is California east or west of Missouri? __
3. Write one sentence about why people use maps.

Answer Key

1. American Symbols

• Statue of Liberty: freedom and welcome
• Bald Eagle: strength and independence
• Flag: stars and stripes

2. Choose the Correct Answer

1. Statue of Liberty
2. Bald Eagle
3. Flag
4. freedom and welcome

3. Find the United States

1. United States of America, or United States
2. west
3. center or middle
4. east

Note: New York is not shown in the simplified map grid. On a classroom map or atlas, New York is in the northeastern United States.

4. State Detective Table

• Missouri: MO; central or midwestern United States; near Illinois, Kansas, or Arkansas
• New York: NY; northeastern United States; near the Atlantic Ocean
• California: CA; western United States; near the Pacific Ocean

The final three rows may have different correct answers if students choose other states.

5. Compass Rose Practice

1. north
2. south
3. east
4. west

6. Use Directions on the Map

1. east
2. south
3. east
4. south
5. north

7. Draw and Label

The compass rose should have:

• N at the top
• S at the bottom
• E on the right
• W on the left

The stars should be placed next to:

• Statue of Liberty
• Bald Eagle
• Flag

8. Real-World Map Mission

1. east
2. east
3. Statue of Liberty
4. Flag

Optional Challenge

1. north
2. west
3. Answers will vary. A correct answer explains that maps help people find places, plan trips, or understand where places are located.