Teaching American History Grant
American Tapestry
Lesson Plan Template
Teacher: Stacy Seedman and Nicole Crescenzo
Grade: 1
Unit Topic: Pledge of Allegiance
History Essential Questions: What does the Pledge of Allegiance mean and
why do we recite it each day at school?
Standards of Learning:
History SOL: The student will:
Describe the characteristics of responsible citizenship in the school community.
They will recognize symbols and individuals that represent American
Constitutional Democracy.
Reading SOL: The student will:
Relate new vocabulary with prior knowledge.
The student will locate specific information by using words in organizational
features (e.g., table of contents, headings, captions, bold print, key words,
indices) in informational text.
Lesson Objectives:
Content: The student will:
Understand the meaning of The Pledge of Allegiance and the importance of its
symbolization.
Process: The student will:
Research and read two other important documents that helped to formulate the
early government of the United States. The students will discuss and decide
which documents were most important in establishing the laws of our country.
Materials:
I pledge allegiance by Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson
Chart paper
Markers
Crayons
rubber bands
5X8 index cards
Additional books for supplemental use: The Pledge of Allegiance (special
Commemorative Classroom Edition) by Scholastic Books
United Streaming Segment: Citizenship in the Community
Assessment/Evaluation: The student will:
Complete the The Pledge of Allegiance activity book.
Lesson Procedure
Background Knowledge and Purpose Setting: The teacher will:
Ask students why they think we say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning and
what does it mean to them. Explain to students that reciting the Pledge each
morning shows that you are being a good citizen. Which means that you are
showing and giving respect to the country you live in.
Before Reading: The teacher will:
Show a segment called Citizenship in the Community from United Streaming. In
this video segment, students will be introduced to the word citizen. It also shows
students modeling the Pledge of Allegiance.
During Reading: The student will:
Display the words to the Pledge of Allegiance on a piece of chart paper. Highlight
the following words: pledge, allegiance, republic, nation, indivisible, liberty,
justice. Discuss their meaning. (Refer to worksheet with kid friendly definitions)
Read I pledge allegiance by Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson. In this book, the
definitions will be reinforced and students will have a better understanding of the
Pledge of Allegiance.
After Reading: The student will:
Make a book using the words to the Pledge of Allegiance. (Refer to sample) They
will be responsible for creating a book that includes a table of contents, the words
to the Pledge of Allegiance, and a glossary.
Closure: The student will:
Model being a good citizen by reciting the pledge.
Extension/Differentiation: The student could:
*Choose another book on the Pledge of Allegiance to learn more about it.
*Students can share their books with a buddy class in Kindergarten or Pre-K.
Kid Friendly Definitions: Pledge of Allegiance (From the book: I Pledge Allegiance by: Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson) Pledge: a promise Allegiance: loyalty Republic: We (the people of America) elect leaders who make our laws. Nation: one country Indivisible: unbreakable; our country cannot be split into separate parts. Liberty: freedom Justice: fairness How to make a Pledge of Allegiance student picture book 1. Hand students 4, 5x8 index cards and have them fold them in half. 2. Cut half inch slits at the bottom and top of the fold. Place the rubber band in these slits. This will become the bind of the book. 3. On the cover students will write the title: My Pledge of Allegiance By: _________ Have them illustrate. 4. View example of how to set up the words for each page. Table of Contents: The Pledge of Allegiance……Pgs 1-­‐10 Glossary…………………………..pgs 11-­‐12 I pledge allegiance to the flag Illustrate Pg.1 Pg. 2 Of the united states of America Illustrate Pg.3 Pg. 4 And to the republic for which it stands, Illustrate Pg.5 Pg. 6 One nation under God, indivisible, Illustrate Pg.7 Pg. 8 With liberty and justice for all. Illustrate Pg.9 Pg. 10 Glossary: Nation: one country Indivisible: unbreakable; our country cannot be split into separate parts. Liberty: freedom Justice: fairness Pg. 12 Pledge: a promise Allegiance: loyalty Republic: We (the people of America) elect leaders who make our laws. Pg. 11