Teaching the Pledge of Allegiance may be one of those tasks that a teacher overlooks until she realizes half her class doesn’t actually know the words to the pledge. Ask just about any adult raised in the United States what they remember from their early school years and more than likely, standing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance will be mentioned. Schools across the country have helped students learn its words by heart in hopes to instill a sense of respect for our county and patriotism at a young age. It is one of the very first procedures learned in most schools and one that is packed with history.
Teach with Purpose
While rising to speak the pledge comes naturally to those of us who have done so too many times to count, it may not be that easy for our early learners. For starters, many of the words from the pledge are challenging to say. The words also have important meanings and learning them takes practice! Saying the Pledge of Allegiance is a procedure our students repeat every day in school. Therefore, it makes sense that we should be extra careful to teach it in a meaningful way. We should not want it to become something our students say just to say. Our students should be taught to say it with purpose, its words should be spoken with respect and pride.
Extend Beyond Memorization the Pledge of Allegiance
When teaching young students the Pledge of Allegiance, memorizing the words is not enough. First, ask your class what they already know about the flag. This will help you gage an understanding of what knowledge they already have and what will be beneficial to teach them. Make sure to clear up any misconceptions your students may have and praise any facts they can share. What they know and do not know might surprise you!
Next, plan to take time to help your students study the words and explain their meaning. They are sure to appreciate the daily procedure of reciting the pledge so much more if they know WHAT they are saying and WHY they are saying it. Last, explain to your class that when they say the pledge out loud, they are promising to be loyal and do their best for their country. This is a great time to point out the importance of being a hardworking citizen and why we should all want to work towards being a united nation.
Learning Facts About the American Flag and Pledge
Every class has its young historians and children who are fascinated with how things have changed over time. The history of the United States flag is both important and interesting and will intrigue most children to know more. Did you know that the United States flag has been modified 26 times? Explaining the meaning behind the flag’s design and taking the time to share facts about its history makes for a fun class discussion. Teaching about the American Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance also opens the door for other topics to talk about. Set aside time to mention holidays associated with the American Flag. Do not forget to mention Flag Day too, which falls on June 14th.
Pledge of Allegiance & American Flag Resources
My Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag pack has goodies for both you and your students to enjoy. Best of all-this packet involves very little planning and next to no preparation on your end. Just print and use! Included in the pack are ten printable pages created to help teach about the pledge, and the flag. Do not miss the added emergent reader that your students can color and practice reading time and time again. This reader helps them practice reciting the pledge and grow in their reading fluency as well.
What does it include?
Your students will love hunting for words in the Word Search like mine did. They will also appreciate adding their personal touches to the coloring page. Want to make sure your students understand the design of the flag? Then utilize the American Flag labeling page. Want to check your students’ knowledge about the flag? Then challenge them to fill in the blanks to missing facts about the flag on the ‘Stars and Stripes’ page. These activities will help them understand the overall appearance of the flag, and what the stars and stripes symbolize.
This pack also has cut and paste worksheets which are great for early fine motor practice and word decoding. Use the emergent reader for an early Guided Reading group while you assess your students’ knowledge of print concepts. You can easily use it as a whole group activity or Independent Practice activity too. Be sure to print out the pledge words and procedures to display next to your classroom flag. Students can refer to the print out as they learn the pledge.
The Pledge of Allegiance Pack is packed with entertaining, engaging activities. I had so much fun designing it and watching my own students enjoy the lessons. It is fantastic for the beginning of the year and helps you introduce a daily procedure. The thoughtfully planned worksheets will help you start the year off right. Your students will be buzzing about the importance of our flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. I hope you will grab your copy today! Check out my American Symbols Mega Pack for more social studies activities.
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