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A Lesson on The First Flag	Export Lesson as PDF \| Save As Favorite

	Grade: Grade 3 Subject: English Language Arts Created by: Shelby Milton Lesson Length: 2 hours Keywords/Tags: Flag Lesson Description: The students will read a passage on the making of the first flag, answer vocabulary questions using context clues, and also answer discussion questions.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.7: Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.6: Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4a: Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4c: Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

The First Flag

It had been a busy day. I helped Betsy Ross. I am a seamstress. I can sew well. We were tired from sewing. Betsy Ross made her living by sewing for people. She sewed many things. She sewed clothes. She sewed curtains. Every day she would start with a pile of cloth and end with things people needed. Everyone knew she would do a good job. So they came to her home and asked her to sew for them. She hired me to help.

One day three men came to her home. They asked her if she could make a flag. I listened to them talk. One of them was named George Washington. I had heard of him. There he was. He came to the store in May. I remember it well because it was my birthday. He was leading the army. The army did not have a flag. The army was fighting for freedom. No one knew if we would win.

They showed Betsy Ross a drawing. It was for the flag of the new country. It had stars. It had stripes. It would have stripes and stars. I said, “Silver stars would be good.” Betsy said, “No. It will be too hard to make. It should be red, white, and blue.” So we set to work that day.

We worked on the flag for the next month. It would be very big. We had to do other work, too. She said we have to make more clothes to get money. We’re doing the flag as a present. We would not be paid for the flag. It would be a present.

Finally the flag was ready. George Washington sent someone to get it. He opened it up and said, “This is it. This is just what we need to inspire the army.” He did not show it anyone yet, though. He kept it for a special day.

On July 4th, the army flew the new flag. That was the first Independence Day. On that day the United States said it was a new country. It had a new flag. We were not there. But we heard about it later.

The army had to fight more battles. Just saying they were independent did not make it true. The war went on for 7 more years. We worried. We made more flags. In all those battles, soldiers saw that flag. Still, it was hard to win.

When the war ended, the country started. I was proud when I saw the flag. I didn’t just make a flag. I was part of making the United States.

Task 2: Discussion Activity (30 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.


	Topic Title	Replies

	Flag as a Present The author states that the flag would be given a present. "We’re doing the flag as a present. We would not be paid for the flag. It would be a present." Since the flag would have made them a lot of money, why would they give it to George Washington as a present? Sent on: Sep 21, 2015 by: Shelby Milton	0

	Helped Making the Flag "I was proud when I saw the flag. I didn’t just make a flag. I was part of making the United States." The author was proud to be apart of making the flag. How would you feel if you made the flag for the United States of America? Sent on: Sep 21, 2015 by: Shelby Milton	0

	Flying of the Flag "On July 4th, the army flew the new flag. That was the first Independence Day. On that day the United States said it was a new country... The army had to fight more battles. Just saying they were independent did not make it true. The war went on for 7 more years." Why did the army fly the flag before the war was over? Sent on: Sep 21, 2015 by: Shelby Milton	0

Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.7,

Task 3: Writing Activity (30 points)
Instructions: You are to write and post here a 500 words essay on how important the flag is to the United States of America. Make sure to provide specific examples.

Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.6,

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