Our Nation's Colorful Symbol
Lesson 1: The Pledge of Allegiance
Grade Level: 3
Subjects: Social Studies and Language Arts
Learner Outcomes: After completing this lesson, students will:
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be familiar with the various vocabulary words within the Pledge of Allegiance.
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understand the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Duration of Lesson: 90 minutes (Can be broken into three 30 minute
sessions at teacher's discretion.)
Materials:
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dictionaries
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poster board
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markers
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classroom flag
Technology Tools:
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computer with Internet access
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PowerPoint program
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data projector
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screen
Teacher Notes:
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This lesson can be done in one setting or divided into 2 or 3 shorter sessions
to fit your schedule.
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Prepare the poster board ahead of time. It needs to have the short
phrases of the Pledge about 5 inches apart so that students have room to
write between them.
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The data projector, screen and computer need to set up in advance also.
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You need to be aware of students in your classroom that do not say the
Pledge of Allegiance due to religious reasons and make any modifications
needed.
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Depending on the set up of your classroom, students need to get their dictionaries
out prior to lesson or as needed if the dictionaries are within easy access.
Procedures:
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Begin the lesson with the PowerPoint
slide show . Read through the Pledge with the class. Let the
students know that you are going to study the pledge phrase by phrase or
even word by word to discover what it really means.
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Review the use of dictionaries and how to find a word that may have a prefix
or suffix.
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With dictionaries, investigate the first phrase "I pledge allegiance" with
the class. Look up the meaning of the words pledge and allegiance.
Discuss the meanings and what the "I" in front of them mean. Listen
to all ideas. Once students decide on a meaning, check it with the
one on the slide show.
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Choose a student to write the meaning from the slide show or a similar
meaning under the phrase on the poster board.
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Continue in this manner with each slide. If you prefer, you can divide
the students into cooperative groups and assign each group a phrase to
research.
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Once the poster board has been completed with the students' meanings, review
the Pledge and then say it as a class.
Modifications:
The majority of this lesson is done as a whole group
or small group. If needed, special needs students may be parterned
with other students.
Enrichment Activities:
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Students can create their own books with the information about the Pledge.
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Students can work in small groups to make a poster for each phrase.
Write the words or phrases at the top of a piece of poster board and have
students cut pictures from various magazines to create a collage showing
the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Students can study the origins of the Pledge and its author.
Evaluation/Assessment: The teacher can evaluate the students by observing
their participation and by the answers given during the discussions.
West Virginia Instructional Goals
and Objectives (IGO's):
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Social Studies 3.5
-
Language Arts 3.75 3.28
3.38
National Standards:
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History - 6. Understands the folklore and other cultural contributions
from various regions of the United States and how they helped to form a
national heritage
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Language Arts - 8. Uses listening and speaking strategies for different
purposes.
References:
Picture
of the Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge
of Allegiance: A Short Story
Red Skelton's
Pledge of Allegiance
The
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
Who wrote the Pledge
of Allegiance?
The
Life and Ideas of Francis Bellamy
Origins
of the Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge
of Allegiance Screen Saver
Authors:
Brenda Smith
Tammie Miley
Becky Miller
Andrews Heights Elementary, PO Box 340, Tornado, WV 25202