"I Pledge Allegiance ... ": The History of the American Flag
 By John Bartke

Overview

American flag has been a source of pride and contention for many Americans throughout our history. The purpose of this lesson is to give students an appreciation for the development of this symbol of America, a symbol recognized throughout the world with varying reactions. At times this symbol has been welcomed and at other times burned in the streets by mobs and rioters. The students will create a pamphlet that shows three renditions of the American flag and their own unique rendition of the American flag, a statement explaining each, and a statement of flag etiquette. The project is easily adapted to 6th through 11th grades.

Objectives

Students will:

  • Research the history of the American flag
  • Draw at least three renditions of the American flag
  • Create a pamphlet illustrating the three renditions of the American flag and write a brief description of where, when, why this flag developed, and a statement as to the prescribed etiquette that applies to the display of the flag
  • Create a flag of his or her own that symbolizes a positive statement of America today
  • Write a persuasive essay stating why the American flag is important to us today

Time Required

This project should take approximately one hour, or less, of classroom explanation time, two-four hours of research time, two to four hours of homework, and two to three hours of classroom presentation time.

Materials

While a variety of resource materials could be used, the most effective would be access to the Internet or a well-stocked library. In order to complete this assignment adequately students should have at their disposal:

  • Internet Access to The American President website biographies
  • Library Support
  • Encyclopedia
  • Materials to construct a tri-fold pamphlet including paper, colors, rulers, etc.
  • "The Children's Story" by James Clavell (optional activity)

Initial Motivation

Discuss with class:

Within every classroom in America and atop every public building flies the American flag. Many people honor this symbol of our nation while others see it as a sign of defeat and aggression. Some love and kiss it while others have been known to burn it in the streets. What is the American flag? Who designed it and made the very first one? How has it changed over the years? What does it mean to us today?

The American flag is something that is recognizable throughout the world yet we know very little about it. This particular lesson and project is designed so that our students can learn more about our flag and their own feelings toward this country of ours.

Procedures

  1. Working as individuals or in groups, students research the history of the American flag.
  2. Students will draw or otherwise recreate three historically accurate flags that have flown over the United States or the American Colonies in revolutionary times, as symbols of our nation and its independence, as well as a flag of their own creation representing their view of America today.
  3. These four drawings/recreations will be placed within a tri-fold pamphlet including explanations.
  4. One page of the tri-fold pamphlet should be used to discuss the etiquette prescribed for displaying the American flag.
  5. Display student work on a convenient classroom bulletin board and ask students to present their work to the class, explaining their research, findings, and their own flag.
  6. The group variation requires students to develop a flag of their own group. The advantage of this is that it must be thought out and developed through group communication, and becomes more than just a personal expression, but rather a group expression.
  7. An optional extension of this activity students could read James Clavell's "Children's Story," or have it read to them. Students could write a written response to the story or merely use it for a discussion starter.

Assessment

The most effective manner of assessing a project such as this is to ask for a student

generated rubric. Students will create their own grading scale that is realistic, demanding, and specific. This should not take very much time and is well worth the effort because students then have 'ownership' of their own grade and know from the outset what is expected of them.

To use as a guide, a simple, un-weighted rubric that has been developed and provided here.

Additional Resources

Below are listed a number of websites dealing with the American flag, its history, and etiquette. There are many other sites on the Internet also dealing with this subject that could be accessed as well.

http://www.libertynet.org/iha/betsy/
http://www.theafricanamericaflag.com
http://www.ctssar.org/flag_etiquette.htm
http://www.amflag.com/
http://www.legion.org/flagtoc.htm
http://www.learn2.com/09/0903/0903.html
http://www.icss.com/usflag/
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/4182/

Interdisciplinary Connections

In order to complete this project adequately, a student must use research skills, art and design skills, layout skills, reading, writing, and oral expression skills, and critical thinking. This project is well suited for combining art and design with history. It also will work well in a computer skills or design class.

John Bartke teaches American literature at Littlerock High School in Littlerock, California and is also an instructor in colonial American and medieval history at Chapman University in Palmdale, California.


Rubric for Assessment: American flag Pamphlet

Student's Name___________________________________________ Date__________

___ Tri-fold pamphlet
___ Four American flags
___ Accurate Explanation of Each Flag
___ Flag Etiquette
___ Oral Presentation
___ Layout
___ Grammar/Spelling
___ Art
___ Design
___ Color
___ Effort
___ Research
___ Cooperation
___ Oral Presentation
___ Explanation
___ Presence
___ Word Choice
___ Confidence