Our National Symbols
Primary 1 · Social and Religious Studies
Our National Symbols
Lesson 4 of 4
12 min
Let's begin
Habimana walks with his mother to the head teacher's office.
A picture hangs on the wall. Inside it he can see two shields, a basket and a bright sun. Three words are written under it.
That picture is Rwanda's third symbol. Today you will learn to read it.
The flag is a cloth with colours. The coat of arms is a picture with things drawn inside it.
You see it on the wall of an office, and on important papers.
The sun with its rays, shining at the top.
Sorghum and coffee. These are plants that farmers grow here.
A basket. It is a Rwandan basket with a pointed lid.
Two shields. A shield is what people used to keep themselves safe.
A blue cog wheel. A cog wheel is a wheel with teeth. It comes from a machine, and it stands for work.
A green ring with a knot that goes all the way around the picture.
Count them on your fingers as you name them.
Under the picture there are three words. Those three words are our national motto.
Unity means we are one people.
Work means we do our work well.
Patriotism means we love our country.
Say them in order: Unity, Work, Patriotism.
The anthem is a song. It is called Rwanda Nziza.
The motto is three words: Unity, Work, Patriotism.
Someone asks you for the motto. If you answer Rwanda Nziza, you have given the song instead.
Flag: colours. Coat of arms: pictures. Motto: three words.
Tip
Picture first, then three words
The picture: sun, plants, basket, shields, wheel, ring.
The three words under it: Unity, Work, Patriotism.
If your answer is a song, you have landed on the anthem, not the motto.
Do each one, then tap Show answer to check.
What is our national motto?
Answer: Unity, Work, Patriotism. Three words, in that order.
Name three things drawn inside the coat of arms.
Answer: any three of these: the sun, sorghum and coffee, a basket, two shields, a blue cog wheel, a green ring with a knot.
Which symbol is the motto written on?
Answer: the coat of arms. The words sit under the picture.
A friend says the motto is Rwanda Nziza. Is he right?
Answer: no. Rwanda Nziza is the anthem, our song. The motto is Unity, Work, Patriotism.
Look for the coat of arms today, at school or on a paper at home.
Answer: many children find it on the office wall or at the top of an official letter. Point at the basket and the two shields.
What you learned today
Here are three free storybooks you can open on a phone.
All three come from African Storybook, who give their books away for free.
Quick check
Say our motto. Tap the words in order.
Tap the cards in the right order.
