Oklahoma Social Studies 2.C.1.10

Social Studies2nd GradeContent Standards

The Standard

2.C.1: Explain the importance of the basic principles that provide the foundation of the United States of America’s system of government.

Examine the meaning of the phrase, “E Pluribus Unum” ("Out of many, one") found on the Great Seal of the United States of America.

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 2.C.1

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students find the Latin words on the ribbon in the eagle’s beak. They explain that many states and people make up one country.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can point to the ribbon on a picture of the seal and explain what the words mean. They can name Oklahoma and Texas as two states in the same country.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think “one” means one state instead of one country. Others think people must have the same language or customs to belong to one country.
How to Assess It: Give students a picture of the Great Seal. Ask them to circle the ribbon and explain how Oklahoma and Texas show what its words mean.

Lesson moves

Give pairs state-name cards and a U.S. map; have them place each card on its state and label the whole map “one country.”
Show a close-up of the seal’s ribbon and ask students to write how different people can belong to one country.
Give partners meaning cards, including “one country” and “everyone must be alike”; have them choose which explains the motto and say why.
Show a U.S. passport cover and ask why travelers from different states use passports bearing the same national seal.

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