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Looking at how we use monuments and buildings to honor local heroes.
Have you ever seen a giant stone person standing tall in a park and wondered, 'Who are they and why are they here?'
A landmark is a special building, object, or place that is easy to see and recognize. Think of a landmark like a 'giant signpost' for your town! It helps people know where they are. A landmark can be something made by nature, like a very old oak tree, or something built by people, like a tall bridge or a colorful library. If you can tell a friend, 'Meet me at the big blue water tower,' then that water tower is a landmark!
Quick Check
If everyone in your town knows the 'Old Red Barn' on the corner, is that barn a landmark?
Answer
Yes, because it is a recognizable place that helps people know where they are.
A monument is a special kind of landmark built to help us remember a person or a very important event. A statue is a monument that is carved or cast to look like a person or animal. When you see a statue of a person in a park, that person is usually a local hero. These are people who did something brave, kind, or smart to help their community a long time ago. We build statues so we never forget the good things they did.
1. Imagine a woman named Maria started the first school in your town years ago. 2. The people in the town were so happy they built a bronze statue of her holding a book. 3. Today, when students walk past the statue, they remember that Maria helped children learn.
Quick Check
Why would a town spend time building a statue of a person?
Answer
To honor them and help the community remember the important things they did.
Local heroes aren't just in history books; they are part of our streets and parks! You can find them by looking for plaques. A plaque is a metal sign near a statue or on a building that tells the person's story. It might say when they were born or what great thing they did. Sometimes, a whole building—like a school or a hospital—is named after a hero to keep their memory alive for years or more!
1. Look at your school's name. Is it named after a person? 2. If your school is named 'Rosa Parks Elementary,' Rosa Parks is the hero being honored. 3. The building itself becomes a landmark that honors her bravery in helping people be treated fairly.
What do we call a building or object that is easy to recognize and helps us find our way?
Why does a community build a statue of a person?
A landmark can only be a statue of a person.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow, when you are driving or walking, try to find one landmark and tell someone why it is easy to recognize.
Practice Activity
Draw a picture of a 'Hero' in your life (like a teacher, a doctor, or a family member) and design a statue or a monument for them!