Grade Level: 3
Time: 40–45 minutes
Subject: Connecticut History / Civics
Standards: Cultural Communities in Connecticut Present and Past
3.His.11.a. Make inferences about the intended audience and purpose of a variety of historical sources from information within the source itself (e.g., diary entries, historical markers, letters, seals, symbols).
1. Introduction (8–10 minutes)
Teacher Prompt:
“Does anybody know what a seal is? Some of you might think of the animal, but a seal can also be a special symbol that represents a place or a group. Today we’re going to learn about the Connecticut State Seal and then make a seal for your pod — your group of desks.”
Teacher Background (Complete for Offline Use):
What the Seal Looks Like:
The Connecticut State Seal shows three grapevines inside a shield, and a ribbon beneath it with a line of Latin text.
Why Grapevines?:
The three grapevines represent the three original English settlements in Connecticut:
Hartford
Windsor
Wethersfield
Grapevines symbolized growth, survival, community, and care — ideas the early settlers believed described their new colony.
The Latin Motto:
“QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTINET”
Translation: “He who transplanted still sustains.”
It expressed the belief that the colony had been guided and supported as it took root and grew.
Big Idea:
The seal uses pictures and words to tell a story about identity, history, and cooperation.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think the early settlers used grapevines as symbols?
What does the motto tell us about how they saw themselves?
What kinds of symbols could represent your pod?
What could represent you as an individual?
Warm-Up:
Turn to a partner: “What is one symbol that represents something important about you?”
2. Main Activity: Create a Pod Seal Collage (20–25 minutes)
Purpose: Each pod creates one large seal. Every student designs their own small symbol circle that will be glued onto the large seal to create a group collage.
Materials:
One large paper per pod with a seal outline (circle or shield)
Small circles or shapes (one per student)
Crayons, colored pencils, markers
Glue sticks
Scissors
Instructions:
Group Brainstorm (5 minutes):
Students share ideas about what represents their pod: hobbies, foods, shows, games, sports, where they live, colors, etc.
Every student must offer at least one idea.
Assign Symbols (3–4 minutes):
Students decide together which symbols will go on the seal.
No duplicates: if someone chooses “football,” only one football appears.
Students choose one symbol each to draw on their individual circle.
Create Individual Circles (8–10 minutes):
Each student draws and colors their symbol on their small circle.
Circles can be cut out if needed.
Students write their initials on the back.
Build the Pod Seal (3–4 minutes):
Students glue their circles onto the large seal in a design they agree on.
Add a short motto if the pod wants one.
Teacher Checkpoints:
Ensure all students contribute ideas and create a symbol circle.
Check for coordination: “Do we already have that symbol?”
Support groups in arranging their circles on the large seal.

3. Share-Out & Conclusion (8–10 minutes)
Presentations:
Each pod presents their finished seal collage and explains:
What symbols they chose
Why each symbol represents their pod
How they worked together to avoid duplicates and make decisions
Closing Reflection:
“How does combining everyone’s symbols help tell the story of your pod?”
Homework / Assessment:
Family Seal Assignment:

Students talk with their family and create a Family Seal, choosing symbols that show important parts of their family’s identity.
They bring it in to share the next day.