Introduction

This lesson was developed to inform students that a symbol is an item that represents something.  Symbols can be objects, art, or natural living things.  Students will explore the American flag.  They will peruse online sources to get a better idea of what the symbols on the flag stand for. They are to pretend they are vexillologists and their job is to research enough information about the American flag's symbols to send to a new country to help them create their own flag.  After investigating the symbols of the American flag, the students will be able to transfer the new information they have gathered to design and create a flag using a variety of colors and symbols to represent themselves and their family.  

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Learners

This lesson was designed to focus on the social sciences for third grade and it involves art.  It can easily be extended to additional grades.

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Curriculum Standards

Oregon State Standards

Social Sciences - Geography
Understand why places and regions are important to human identity and serve as symbols to unify or fragment society.

Art
Understand the place of arts within, and their influences on society.

AR.03.HC.04 Describe how the arts serve a variety of purpose in the student's life, community, and culture

In relation to the curriculum standards that this lesson meets, other learning outcomes include communication skills and creative production.  Students will learn to use their words in order to share what they found to be interesting about the symbols of the American flag as well as present their own flag that represents who they are.

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Process

Below is the process the students will go through to complete the WebQuest

Step 1:

What does the flag mean? What do the stars, stripes, and colors represent?

With a partner, you will be searching and reading through the following websites.  These sites will help you gather facts about the American flag that you can send to the new country.

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/flag.html

The Betsy Ross Homepage
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/

Description of the American Flag
http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/american-flag.htm

Click here to download and answer your American Flag Activity worksheet.

Step 2:

Turn in your completed activity worksheet to be mailed to the new country.


Step 3:

Using your new understanding about the symbols, go to the supply table and retrieve an 8.5" by 11" paper and create your own flag.  Use any materials you'd like such as markers, crayons, pens, rulers, scissors, construction paper, etc.  Be as creative as you can.  Each of you will construct your own flag representing you and your family.

On the backside of your flag, describe what each symbol and color represents.


Step 4:

If you finish early, use one of the flags at the front of the room to practice folding it properly with your partner.  Refer to the website below for help.

http://www.usflag.org/foldflag.html


Step 5:

When everyone is finished, we will meet on the carpet as a class.  We will have a discussion about the symbols on the American flag.  Think about something interesting you found out about the flag that you'd like to share with the class.  Ponder to yourself what these symbols mean to you and our country.

You will also be given a chance to show your classmates the flag you created.  Be prepared to describe it and explain why you made it the way you did.



Allow students to Think, Pair, Share.  Have them think about what they learned about what the stars, stripes, and colors of the flag represent.  Then they will pair up with a partner they are sitting next to on the carpet.  After that they will share with the class what they conversed about in their partnerships.

This lesson was designed to last over the span of one class.  It is a multidisciplinary WebQuest in that students will learn about the social sciences, arts, interpersonal skills when they work with their partner, and fine motor skills when coloring.

It is suggested that teachers choose student partners prior to them engaging in the lesson.  This will cut down on chaos and distractions in the classroom.  Use a method for assigning partners that work for your students.

Anticipate students who may not know anything about the United States of America, the American flag, and symbols.  Assist them as needed.

Teachers do not need special skills to execute this lesson successfully.  Familiarize yourself with the websites to be better equipped to help students if they appear to have difficulty navigating them.

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Resources Needed

                    8.5" by 11" piece of printer paper for each student
                    Colored construction paper
                    Glue
                    Markers
                    Crayons
                    Colored Pencils
                    Scissors
                    American flags
                    Any additional materials students prefer to use when they create art

                    Access to following websites
                             http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/flag.html
                             http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/
                            http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/american-flag.htm
                            http://www.usflag.org/foldflag.html

                    One teacher will suffice for the implementation of this lesson.  Aides and parents are more than welcome to be present                                 during the exploration of this WebQuest.

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Evaluation

Teachers will know this lesson was a success by the worksheets the students submit, by the discussion held at the conclusion of the WebQuest, and by the individual flags the students produce.  In addition, while students are working, teachers are encouraged to walk around to observe and listen to their conversations.  Their exchanges will uncover what they have learned about the flag and symbols.  The goal is for their understanding of symbols in relation to the American flag to transfer to the flags they make on their own.  The discussion you facilitate at the end of the WebQuest will also reveal their thoughts on how the symbols of the American Flag influence their lives and our country.

The rubric posted on the student page can be found below.  The students will demonstrate their understanding of the stars, stripes, and colors through their worksheet and during the discussion.

	Beginning	Developing	Accomplished	Exemplary	Score
Demonstrate your understanding of the parts of the American flag	Provides little or no reason for the stars, stripes, or colors.	Provides some reason for the stars, stripes, or colors.	Accurately and nearly completely describes the reason for the stars, stripes, and colors.	Accurately and completely describes the reason for the stars, stripes, and colors.
Designing your own flag	Little effort shown: no color, no neatness, and no symbols. Symbols not described on the back of paper.	Some effort shown: few colors, little neatness, and lacks personal interest. Include some description of symbols on the back of paper.	High effort shown: colorful, neat. Symbols on flag are described in detail on the back of the flag.	Created a flag that reflects own personality, interests, very colorful and neat. Symbols on flag are described in detail on the flag and exhibit well thought out representations.

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Conclusion

This lesson was meant to address the importance for third graders to understand how the American flag  represents the United States of America through its stars, stripes, and colors and how it stands as a unification symbol of our country.

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Credits


Auto Biographer:

Lacey Chong

I am a Preservice Teacher in Oregon and studying my Masters of Arts in Teaching.

Permissions

We all benefit by being generous with our work.  Permission is granted for others to use and modify this WebQuest for education, non-commercial purposes as long as the original authorship is credited.  The modified WebQuest may be shared only under the same conditions.  See the Creative Commons Attribution - Non-Commercial - Share Alike license for details.

Images:

http://freakinlibs.com/2009/08/05/we-are-back-america/american-flagjpg/

http:www.toyboxcovers.com/american-flag-3-x-5-flag-usa-pr-33.html

http://store.libertyflags.com/american-flags---rugged-wavecrest-tm-polyester-p44.aspx