MODULE 3 Chapter 1

Module 3 Chapter 1

Student Page

Idaho's State Flag, Great Seal, and Motto

Hi Students!

The purpose of this activity is to help you learn about:
    a) Idaho's State Flag.
    b) Idaho's Great Seal.
    b) Idaho's motto.

The State Flag of Idaho is dark blue silk with the Great Seal of the State of Idaho in the center. The flag is 5 feet 5 inches long and 4 feet 4 inches wide. Three sides have gold fringe 2-1/2 inches wide. Below the Great Seal is a scroll containing the words "State of Idaho" in block letters 2 inches tall.

The Great Seal of the State of Idaho was designed in 1890 by Mrs. Emma Edwards Green. It is the only Great Seal in the 50 states to be designed by a woman.

Mrs. Green chose symbols that show Idaho's many great and beautiful features. In the center of the shield is a picture of Idaho's different kinds of lands: farms, timber, great rivers, and majestic mountains. The pine tree stands for our forests, and the river stands for irrigation. Above the shield is an elk's head, which stands for Idaho's richness in wildlife.

The woman holding the scales is Justitia, goddess of justice. She also holds a spear with a cap on top to represent liberty. The man is a miner with a pick and shovel, standing for Idaho's vast mineral wealth. There are two cornucopia ("horns of plenty") and a shock of wheat to stand for the richness of Idaho's land. Above the elk's head is the State Motto of Idaho, "Esto Perpetua," meaning "It is forever."

ART ACTIVITY

MAKING THE STATE FLAG AND GREAT SEAL OF IDAHO.

Option A
1. Using a copy of the pattern of the Great Seal, color the features with crayon, colored pencil, or watercolor. Then carefully cut out the Great Seal.

2. Draw and color a scroll for the State Flag. Then carefully cut out the scroll.

3. Glue the Great Seal and the scroll on a piece of dark blue construction paper, 12 x 18 inches in size.

Option B
Instead of coloring the entire picture, fill in parts of the picture using carefully cut pieces of colored paper. (You may want to color other parts of the picture with crayon or colored pencil.)

Option C
Some students may wish to make a free-hand drawing or painting of the Great Seal.

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