This lesson focuses on the symbolic meaning of the Statue of Liberty as seen through various viewpoints and leading to dramatically different interpretations of the statue, and therefore the United States. In a series of clip viewing activities, students will uncover the different meanings the Statue of Liberty embodies and come to understand that the statue’s meaning is not fixed. Students will consider these meanings in their historical context and have the opportunity to draw connections to our contemporary immigration crises. To culminate, students will create media projects representing their own perceptions of the statue.
Analyzing the Symbolism of the Statue of Liberty
