The Pledge of Allegiance Unit

1. The Pledge of Allegiance Unit By Kathleen Marcoux

2. Rationale Statement My lesson unit theme for this class is on The Pledge of Allegiance. I feel that it is important to teach students about the Pledge of Allegiance because it teaches them a sense of citizenship. A unit on this theme would include lessons in Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Technology, Music, and Art. These lessons would be considered Civics and Government lessons for first grade students. The ability to recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” and explain its general meaning is listed in the MA Curriculum Frameworks 1st Grade Standards of United States Leaders, Symbols, Events, and Holidays.

3. Guiding Question:How does the “Pledge of Allegiance” define what it means to be an American?

4. Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in August of 1892. At that time, he was a chairman of a committee of state superintendents of education in the National Education Association. His Pledge was first published in The Youth's Companion. This was a magazine similar to The Reader’s Digest. It was designed to attract families, not only children.

5. In 1892, Francis Bellamy was in charge of organizing a plan for the public schools' celebration for Columbus Day. He designed the agenda of this celebration around a flag raising ceremony which included a flag salute. The flag salute was his Pledge of Allegiance. This is how the original Pledge was written: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (“to” was added in October of 1892) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

6. August 1892 (22 words) “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” October 1892 “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to (“to” was added) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 1924 “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America (“my Flag ” was replaced with “to the Flag of the United States of America” ) and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” 1954 (31 words) “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God ( “under God” was added) indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

7. What do the words mean? Pledge – promise Allegiance – loyalty, devotion Republic – a kind of government where people vote and elect their leaders Indivisible – not able to be divided, sticking together Liberty – freedom Justice – fair treatment The Colors of the flag: Red stands for:Bravery White stands for:Liberty Blue stands for:Justice

8. Count words of Pledge Count stars and stripes on flag Shapes/patterns Graphing Dramatic enactment Placemats Weaving Centerpieces Hats Singing Write a Class Pledge Read a Book Create a Book Create Picture Book Spelling/Language MATH ELA ARTS The Pledge of Allegiance (Grade 1) SOCIAL STUDIES SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY Who created the Pledge Where was it created When was it created How has it changed through time What does it say about people Materials used to make flag Online activities Create PP Slideshow Webquest KidPix – Make a flag Research flag online

9. Lesson Plans for Unit Lesson 1 – SS & Language Arts Lesson 2 – SS & Arts Lesson 3 – SS & Math Lesson 4 – SS, Music, & Technology Lesson 5 – SS & Technology

10. Lesson 1:Connection to Social Studies and Language Arts I will begin with a brief history of our Pledge by reading a Scholastic book to the students. Next I will explain the important words from “The Pledge of Allegiance” and we will put these words on our word wall in our classroom. (pledge, allegiance, republic, indivisible, liberty, and justice) Students will complete a matching worksheet that I will create for them about the important terms that they recite when saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

11. Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework Grade 1 Learning Standards United States Leaders, Symbols, Events, and Holidays 1.1 On a map of the United States, locate Washington, D.C. and identify it as the capital of the United States of America; locate Boston and identify it as the capital of Massachusetts. 1.3 Identify and explain the meaning of American national symbols. a. The American Flag b. The Bald Eagle c. The White House d. The Statue of Liberty 1.4 Demonstrate the ability to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, to explain its general meaning, and to sing national songs such as America the Beautiful, My Country, ‘tis of Thee, God Bless America, and The Star Spangled Banner and explain the general meaning of the lyrics. Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework General Standard 4: Vocabulary and Concept Development 4.8 Determine meanings of words by using a beginning dictionary. General Standard 7: Beginning Reading 7.4 Demonstrate understanding of the various features of written English. General Standard 8: Understanding a Text 8.5 Retell important facts from a text heard or read. 8.10 Restate main ideas.

12. Lesson 2:Connection to Social Studies and Arts Students will design a flag to represent themselves. I will post these flags outside the classroom on a colorful bulletin board. I will provide the handout from the website. http://members.enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/blank/flag.shtml?p

13. Lesson 2:Connection to Social Studies and Arts Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework Standard 1: Methods, Materials, and Techniques 1.1 Use a variety of materials and media, and understand how to use them to produce different visual effects. 1.2 Create artwork in a variety of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) media. 1.4 Learn to take care of materials and tools and to use them safely. Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework Grade 1 Learning Standards United States Leaders, Symbols, Events, and Holidays 1.1 On a map of the United States, locate Washington, D.C. and identify it as the capital of the United States of America; locate Boston and identify it as the capital of Massachusetts. 1.3 Identify and explain the meaning of American national symbols. a. The American Flag b. The Bald Eagle c. The White House d. The Statue of Liberty

14. Lesson 3:Connection to Social Studies and Math (Graphing) I redesigned a worksheet called “Flo’s Flags” from The Mailbox, June/July 2006 Edition to suit the needs of a first grade student. The original worksheet was designed to have the students count by 3’s. I thought that might be hard for student’s that have not mastered the skill of skip counting.

15. Lesson 3:Connection to Social Studies and Math (Graphing) Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework Grade 1 Learning Standards United States Leaders, Symbols, Events, and Holidays 1.1 On a map of the United States, locate Washington, D.C. and identify it as the capital of the United States of America; locate Boston and identify it as the capital of Massachusetts. 1.3 Identify and explain the meaning of American national symbols. Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework Number Sense and Operations Learning Standard K.N.7 Use objects and drawings to model and solve related addition and subtraction problems to ten. Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability K.D. 1 Collect, sort, organize, and draw conclusions about data using concrete objects, pictures, numbers, and graphs. 2.D.3 Organize, classify, represent, and interpret data using tallies, charts, tables, bar graphs, pictographs, and Venn diagrams; interpret the representations.

16. Lesson 4:Connection to Social Studies and Music (Technology also) I will begin the lesson by reading a story about The Star Spangled Banner by Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who? Students will learn The Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs online. I will advise the students that the words to these songs will be displayed on the website. http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/USA/

17. Lesson 4:Connection to Social Studies and Music (Technology also) Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework – Grade 1 Learning Standards United States Leaders, Symbols, Events, and Holidays 1.4 Demonstrate the ability to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, to explain its general meaning, and to sing national songs such as America the Beautiful, My Country, ‘tis of Thee, God Bless America, and The Star Spangled Banner and explain the general meaning of the lyrics. Massachusetts Arts Curriculum Framework Standard 1: Singing 1.1 Sing independently, maintaining accurate intonation, steady tempo, rhythmic accuracy, appropriately-produced sound (timbre), clear diction, and correct posture. 1.2 Sing expressively with appropriate dynamics, phrasing, and interpretation. 1.3 Sing from memory a variety of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures and historical periods. Massachusetts Recommended PreK-12 Instructional Technology Standards Standard 1: Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and applications as well as an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity. 1.1 Develop basic skills for using hardware and applications. 1.7 Collaborate with classmates to use teacher-selected Web sites. Standard 2: Demonstrate responsible use of technology and an understanding of ethics and safety issues in using electronic media. 2.1 Follow classroom rules for responsible use of computers. 2.2 Develop understanding of the school’s rules for safe and ethical Internet use. 2.4 Develop understanding of how the computer is a tool for learning.

18. Lesson 5:Connection to Geography and Technology Students will go online and play a game similar to concentration. This game will help understand the reasons for variation in different flags around the world. It will also help them develop mouse usage skills. http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/games/game_flag_bricks.html

19. Lesson 5:Connection to Geography and Technology Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework Grade 1 Learning Standards United States Leaders, Symbols, Events, and Holidays 1.1 On a map of the United States, locate Washington, D.C. and identify it as the capital of the United States of America; locate Boston and identify it as the capital of Massachusetts. 1.3 Identify and explain the meaning of American national symbols. Massachusetts Recommended PreK-12 Instructional Technology Standards Standard 1: Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and applications as well as an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity. 1.1 Develop basic skills for using hardware and applications. 1.7 Collaborate with classmates to use teacher-selected Web sites. Standard 2: Demonstrate responsible use of technology and an understanding of ethics and safety issues in using electronic media. 2.1 Follow classroom rules for responsible use of computers. 2.2 Develop understanding of the school’s rules for safe and ethical Internet use. 2.4 Develop understanding of how the computer is a tool for learning.

20. Books Used: Red, White, Blue, and Uncle Who? The Stories behind Some of America’s Patriotic SymbolsBy Teresa Bateman The Pledge of AllegianceBy Scholastic, Inc. The Flag We LoveBy Pam Munoz Ryan

21. Websites for Patriotic Music Click on: http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/USA/anthem.html Read words and sing the “Star Spangled Anthem” Click on: http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/USA/land.html Read words and sing “This Land is Your Land” Click on: http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/USA/grandflag.html Read words and sing ” You’re a Grand Ole Flag” Click on: http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/USA/country.html Read words and sing “My Country Tis of Thee” Click on:http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/USA/beautiful.html Read words and sing “America the Beautiful”

22. More Patriotic Sites to See Flag Puzzle Game http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/flag-js.htm American Flag Concentration Puzzle http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/flag-c.htm American Games http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/American_Games/ Video of the Meaning http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=115 Printables http://members.enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/blank/flag.shtml?p http://members.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/books/julyfourth/Flag.shtml http://members.enchantedlearning.com/books/geography/usflag/USFlag-EnchantedLearning.pdf http://members.enchantedlearning.com/usa/flags/massachusetts/massachusettsflag.shtml?p http://www.first-school.ws/activities/shapes/general/bookmark_pledge.htm http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/pledge.pdf

23. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

24. The Star Spangled Banner Written by: Francis Scott Key in 1814 Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Listen: http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/anthem.html

25. Let's Review 1892 When the Pledge of Allegiance was written? Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance? How many words were in the first Pledge? How many words are in the Pledge now? How many stars are on our flag? How many stripes are on our flag? Why are there that many stripes? How many red stripes? How many white stripes? How many stars were on the first flag? What does the color red stand for? What does the color white stand for? What does the color blue stand for? Francis Bellamy 22 31 50 13 They represent the original 13 colonies. 7 6 13 in a circle to represent the union. Bravery, valor and hardiness Liberty, purity and innocence Vigilance, perseverance, and justice.