Lesson 5: ​Pledging Allegiance to the Flag

Teacher: ​Braden Pelly

Grade: ​3

Essential Question:
What is the Pledge of Allegiance really saying?

Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to understand the meaning and purpose for reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance

Standard(s):
Social Studies:​ Standard 3: Students will understand the principles of civic
responsibility in classroom, community, and country.
Reading: ​Foundational Skills Standard 3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Objective 1
Describe the rights and responsibilities inherent in being a contributing member
of a community.
a. Identify how these rights and responsibilities are reflected in the patriotic symbols
and traditions of the United States (i.e. Pledge of Allegiance, flag etiquette).

Key Terms:
● Pledge
● Allegiance
● Republic
● Indivisible
● Liberty
● Justice

Materials and Preparation:

● The Pledge of Allegiance​ by Veteran’s Flag Depot
● Pledge of Allegiance coloring page
● The Pledge of Allegiance worksheet
● Highlighter
● Pencils
 ● Colored pencils or crayons

Connections:

Procedures:
Introduction
1. Ask students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance
2. Next, ask students what grade they started saying the Pledge of Allegiance in.
Ask students why they think they recite the Pledge of Allegiance everyday
3. Record student responses on the board
4. After hearing student responses, show the video ​The Pledge of Allegiance​.

Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling

1. After students view the video on the Pledge of Allegiance, ask students to review
their answers for why they think we say the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Give students an opportunity to share out and record student responses. Have
students compare their new responses to their initial thoughts.
3. Next, pass out the Pledge of Allegiance coloring worksheet to each student.
4. While modeling to students, ask students to highlight the key terms pledge,
allegiance, republic, indivisible, liberty, and justice.
5. Tell students that in order to better understand the Pledge of Allegiance, the
highlighted terms will be replaced with new vocabulary.

Guided Practice:

1. Ask students to look at the first highlighted word pledge. Tell students that pledge
means to promise, and write the word "promise" above pledge.
2. Continue replacing each highlighted word with a new one while discussing its
meaning. In the end, you should have allegiance, love or devotion, republic,
people, indivisible, not divided, liberty, freedom, and justice, fairness.
3. Ask for student volunteers to read aloud the pledge using the new terms. Remind
students that even though the words are different, the meaning remains the
same.

Independent Working Time/Assessment

1. Allow time for students to color their picture.

2. Next, pass out the handout titled, The Pledge of Allegiance to each student.
 3. Tell students that this class assignment will help them identify key vocabulary in
the pledge.
4. Before beginning, review the directions with the class.
5. Monitor students while they are working, and assist students who need extra
support.

Differentiation:

● Enrichment:​ For students who need an extra challenge, ask them to write in
their own words for the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. Ask students to
present their thoughts to the class.
● Support:​ For students needing support, have them highlight only three words,
and complete both worksheets in a smaller group setting with teacher support.