Grade Level: 6-8

Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts

Learner Outcomes: Students will be given the opportunity to:

• discover the history of the Pledge of Allegiance through Internet research
• review a web site containing Red Skelton's interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance
• use a word processor to create their own interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance

Materials:

• a printed copy of Red Skelton's essay

• computer with Internet access and Creative Writer or other word processing software

Procedures:

• Instruct students to write out the Pledge of Allegiance as they remember it, and to explain the meaning of each verse.
• Students will research on the Internet (see references) to discover the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, including United States Code and proper etiquette.
• Class discussion of researched materials.
• Students will review Red Skelton's explanation of the pledge
• Students will again write out the Pledge of Allegiance and an explanation, noting any changes to the words and their meaning from the previous exercise.

Modifications should be based on the student's IEP and utilization of support staff when necessary. Blue paper and large font will help visually-impaired students.

• Students will read an essay written by  high school student, Wayne Kraemer, III,  as to whether to pledge the flag.  Students will then write their own essay as to whether they should or should not pledge the flag.

• students' writing of the pledge and its meaning
• observation of students' participation in the daily Pledge of Allegiance

Language Arts:

6.16, 6.20, 6.21, 6.51, 6.60, 6.61, 6.65, 6.153, 6.154
7.22, 7.23, 7.37, 7.64, 7.65, 7.163, 7.164
8.22, 8.23, 8.51, 8.145, 8.147, 8.150, 8.151

Social Studies:

6.10, 6.59, 6.60, 6.63, 7.61, 8.4, 8.59, 8.60, 8.61

Civics

• Understands the importance of Americans sharing and supporting certain values, beliefs, and principles of American constitutional democracy
• Understands how certain character traits enhance citizens' ability to fulfill personal and civic responsibilities
• Understands the importance of political leadership, public service, and a knowledgeable citizenry in American constitutional democracy

Life Work Standards

• Uses various information sources, including those of a technical nature, to accomplish specific tasks

Thinking and Reasoning Skills

• Understands and applies basic principles of logic and reasoning
• Effectively uses mental processes that are based on identifying similarities and differences (compares, contrasts, classifies)

Language Arts

• Gathers and uses information for research purposes

References:

God Bless America
Do I Pledge Allegiance?
The Pledge of Allegiance: A Short History
American Legion
The Flag of the United States:The Pledge of Allegiance
Restore our Pledge of Allegiance
Citizens Flag Alliance
America's Veterans
CRW Flags
New Americans
Intellectual Capital
Creative Writer (free trial version)

Author(s):

John Richmond
Darlene Milam
Patty Waldeck

Horace Mann Middle School
301 43rd Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
304-348-1971

Overview

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5