|
Raise the Flag (Awareness) in Your Class!
More than 225 years have passed since the United States flag was adopted. Education World salutes this anniversary with five new lessons that teach about the history of the flag history, the proper way to fold the U.S. flag, and more. The fifth lesson challenges students to search for the truth about Betsy Ross; did she really create the first American flag? Included: Links to some great Flag Day resources plus more flag lessons on the Web.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States of America. One hundred years later, on the flag's centennial, the nation celebrated its first Flag Day. June 14, 2003, therefore, marks the 226th anniversary of the U.S. flag -- and the 126th anniversary of Flag Day. Education World invites you to celebrate both anniversaries with one or more of the lessons below.
FIVE LESSONS TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE FLAG DAY
This week, Education World salutes the U.S. flag with five new lessons. Click on each lesson headline for a complete teaching resource. (Appropriate grade levels for each activity are indicated in parentheses.)
Our Flag Throughout History
A student-created timeline of the flag's history provides a quick visual reference point for classroom discussions about U.S. history and an interactive learning tool.
(Grades 3-12)
Fold the Flag
Students learn how to properly fold a flag and practice the technique by folding paper flags! (Grades 2-8)
This Is America! Flag Collage
Cut up magazines and newspapers help students create an American flag collage -- a visual essay of their thoughts about "what my country means to me." (Grades K-12)
Seeing Stars
Following directions, students make five-pointed stars just like the ones on the American flag. Included: Writing assignments for students' stars. (Grades 3-12)
The Betsy Ross Story: Truth or Legend?
Will we ever know the real story of Betsy Ross? (Grades 3-12)
ADDITIONAL FLAG DAY RESOURCES
Hang a Flag Mural
What better way to greet visitors to your school than with a student-created flag mural?
Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance
Red Skelton breaks the pledge down into its most meaningful parts.
The Star-Spangled Banner
This page from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History details current efforts to save the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem.
American Flag Etiquette
Discover what federal law says about flag etiquette.
History of the American Flag
A brief summary of the changes our flag has seen in 225 years.
Robert G. Heft
A UPI news story about the man who designed the 50-star American flag.
The Pledge of Allegiance and What It Means
Scroll down the page a bit for a line-by-line breakdown of the Pledge of Allegiance and find a brief explanation of what the pledge means.
The Betsy Ross Homepage
This story of Betsy Ross's life jumps into the controversy surrounding whether she created the flag.
The History of Flag Day
World Flag Database
Print Our Flag: Super Size
Perfect printable for a bulletin board or mural.
MORE FLAG DAY LESSONS FOUND ON THE NET
As we surfed the Net looking for great Flag Day lesson resources, we found a handful of Flag Day lesson plans or activities worth knowing about:
The Pledge of Allegiance in Sign Language
Patriotic Songs
American Flag to Color
National Flag Day Foundation's Educational Resources Handbook for Grades 3-5
American Flag Bulletin Board
What Does the Star-Spangled Banner Mean to Me?
For use with the Star-Spangled Banner Project: Save Our History - Teacher's Manual
Betsy Ross Songs
Flag Day Educational Lessons
Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World®
Copyright © 2008 Education World
| 
