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Summary and Objective
Using logos and symbols as a launching point, students will identify what the U.S. flag symbolizes to them. Students will understand that the U.S. flag is a national symbol, and is composed of elements that have evolved over the history of the country. Students will study a timeline of U.S. flags and construct a flag to represent their classroom.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Students will view logos or symbols from a number of companies (Nike, Walt Disney, Apple). Students will note what characteristics are represented such as quality, family, fun or value.
Step 2.
In groups of 3-4, students will examine a current U.S. flag and list the elements that make up the flag (stars, stripes, red, white, blue, rectangle.)
Step 3.
Next, groups will brainstorm the words they think of when they view the flag. What characteristics or values do they think of when they see the flag? For example, when people see the flag, they think of of the U.S.A. It is a national symbol. Many of us also think of courage, loyalty, or honor. Students will write down each word noting how many students said the same words. Students will then input the words they have used into Wordle.net to create a word cloud, adding each word the number of times it was mentioned by the group to increase its size. Groups will compare their word clouds.
Step 4.
Using "American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association Membership certificate" and "Civil War Patriotic Covers or Envelopes" from the online collection along with the Thomas Nast print from the Library of Congress discuss why the flag may be included in art and what it symbolizes. The teacher will read the captions and identify when the images where created. How is the symbol of the flag being used? What was going on in the country at the time the image was created?
Step 5.
As a class view the Flag Timeline at ushistory.org. How has the flag changed? Why? What has stayed the same? As a class, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, noting that it was published in 1892.
Step 6.
Students will view the Revolutionary War remnant from the online collection. What is the same and what is different from this earliest flag and today's? What do you think the rest of the flag looked like?
Step 7.
As a class, view the Smithsonian website, "Star-Spangled Banner". Focus on "Legacy" and the "Interactive flag". In the "Legacy" section pay special attention to the images of flags, reading supporting material to students as needed. If available, the "Interactive Flag" would be a wonderful group activity utilizing an interactive white board. Allow students to take turns clicking on the various elements as they explore the flag.
Step 8.
Working in their small groups, students will create a list of 3-5 characteristics of their classroom community. Using construction paper and art supplies they will create a flag to represent the class. Flags will be displayed on a classroom bulletin board along with the the U.S. flag.
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