The Pledge of Allegiance

A comprehension activity by Susan Peterson
Introduction
Standards 
Objectives
Activities
Assessment 
Results
Resources

 

 Introduction
Students will develop a better understanding of the "Pledge of Allegiance" and a deeper appreciation of our country's freedoms and responsibilities.
Subject:  Social Studies/Reading Comprehension
Topic: "Pledge of Allegiance"
Grade Level: 5 - 6
Student Lesson name and URL:
Standards Addressed
History/Social Science Standards:
      1.3  Students know and understand the symbols, icons, and traditions of the United States that provide continuity and a sense of community across time.
       3.4.3  Students know the histories of important local and national landmarks, symbols, and essential documents that create a sense of community among citizens and exemplify cherished ideals (the U.S. flag, etc.)
        ...As well as Language Arts Reading Standards of Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension.
 
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Instructional Objectives
  • Students will match pledge vocabulary with synonyms.
  • After accessing the Red Skelton Pledge link, students will be able to paraphrase the pledge using their own words.
  • Students will  apply the meaning of the pledge by demonstrating what liberty and justice mean on the playground.
  • Students will compose their own pledge that could be used as a promise to their family, their class, their school, or an interest group.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of exact words of the pledge by performing it aloud to their teacher.
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    Student Activities
    Students will progress through a variety of pledge activities showing a range from basic knowledge to comprehension to application and synthesis.

    Introductory Activity

     The class will recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily during morning warm-up.  Then as a pretest before these activities begin,  individual students will be assessed in writing as to exact wording and meaning.
     

    Enabling Activities

    1. During computer lab period, students will word process pledge vocabulary and match them to their synonyms using the thesaurus tool.

    2.  Link to the Red Skelton Pledge site on the Internet  to read Red's teacher's explanation of the pledge's meaning.  Using those ideas, students then paraphrase the pledge using their own words.

    3. Students word process and print together 
    the above activities.


    Culminating Activities

    1.Students will work in groups of 3 to 6 students to discuss how the ideas of liberty and justice can be applied to their playground time.  They prepare and perform a short demonstration skit for their classmates.

    2.After sharing each other's skits, groups of students then write their own pledge to their classmates, school, families, or an interest group of their choice.
     

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    Assessment
    When individual students are prepared, each recites the Pledge of Allegiance to their teacher.  If successful, they then repeat the pretest activity in writing.
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    Results
    After implementing your lesson (sometime between January & March), insert a chart of your pre-test, post-test, and culminating assessment data.
     
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    Web Resources & Supplementary Materials

    Introductory Activity
    List and link the web resources for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

    Enabling Activity
    List and link the web resources for your learning activity(ies) here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

    Culminating Activity
    List and link the web resources for this activity here. Also link supplementary materials such as PDF files and /or document files.

     
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    North Cow Creek School
    10619 Swede Creek Road, Palo Cedro, CA  96073
    Susan Peterson speterson@shastalink.k12.ca.us
    Last Revised: 06/30/2000 (insert and update last revision date every time you work on this page)