The Story

of the

American Flag

By Christine Kapela

Can you recite the pledge of allegiance without reading along?

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America,

and to the Republic for which it stands;

one nation under God indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

When we are finished we will be able to:

•  Explain and infer what the American Flag

represents. •  Identify who designed the first American Flag and distinguish what it looks like.

•  Compile important facts about the American Flag. •  Demonstrate how to take care and respect

the American Flag. •  Sing and analyze the meaning of The Star Spangled Banner.

Did you ever wonder why we say the pledge of allegiance everyday at the beginning of our school day?

Why is the American Flag so important to us? In this story we will investigate through reading the story, researching articles and watching videos to answer these questions.

•  What do the colors in the flag represent?

Red:

Blue:

White: •  What do the stars and stripes represent

on the American Flag?

Stars: Stripes:

Watch the video American Minute to answer the questions

above.

•  It is believed, but not confirmed, that Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag. Click on the link above to read more about Betsy Ross and to help answer the question below.

•  Who asked Betsy Ross to sew the first American Flag?

•  Why do we celebrate Flag Day?

•  The first American Flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes to represent the 13 original colonies.

•  The day we

celebrate and

honor the flag is

called Flag Day.

•  On August 3,

1949 President

Truman

officially

declared June

14th as National

Flag Day.

•  Click on the link below to learn how the flag got it’s nickname “Old Glory”

•  The last star was added when Hawaii became a state on July 4, 1960, currently giving the flag 50 stars and 13 stripes.

•  Where did the nickname “Old Glory” come from?

•  How many stars and stripes does our American Flag have now?

•  The American Flag is a symbol of our country and should be shown proper respect.

•  Saluting is one way to show respect for the American Flag. To salute all persons present of the flag, except those in uniform, should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart.

•  The American Flag Code is the section of law that explains how the American Flag should be used and displayed.

•  What is the American Flag Code?

•  How and why do we salute the Flag?

•  The flag is often flown at half-staff to show respect for someone who has died.

•  ( When flown at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should also be raised to the top before it is lowered at the end of the day. )

•  The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If the flag is displayed

at night it should be lit. •  The flag should be

raised quickly and lowered ceremoniously

(formally).

•  When displayed on a wall or

window the blue field should

be in the upper left corner.

•  Never allow the flag to touch

the ground or the floor.

•  Can we fold the flag by ourselves?

Why?

•  Can you list three meanings of the

Flag folds?

How to fold the American Flag

Watch the video and read the passage and see if you can

answer some questions above on how to fold the American

Flag and what the folds represent.

Meaning of the Flag Folds

Can you sing along to

The Star Spangled Banner

•  Listen to the words. Below, answer in your own words, using what you have read in this story and infer about the meaning of this song and the American Flag.