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A Lesson on The First Flag Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
A Lesson on The First Flag Grade: Grade 3
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Amber Hamilton
Lesson Length: 2 hours
Keywords/Tags: American flag, United States, Betsy Ross
Lesson Description: This lesson explores the history of the creation of the United States\' Flag, the importance and significance behind it and also what the flag symbolizes to our country. Develops historical and everyday vocabulary and encourages exploration of ideas behind why the United States created the flag.
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.3.3: 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.RI.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.RF.3.3d: Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4c: Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
 
     
     
 
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 1: Vocabulary Activity (40 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Inspire | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 The author in our story says "He opened it up and said, “This is it. This is just what we need to inspire the army.” What does the word "Inspire" mean in this sentence?
A. To discourage
B. To influence or motivate *
C. To wake up
D. To remember
Which sentence below uses the word "inspire" correctly?
A. She is going to inspire the chicken before cooking it.
B. I cannot inspire my spelling words for this week's test.
C. Going to the Museum of Art will inspire me to create my own painting. *
D. When it's hot outside, I start to smell bad and inspire from my forehead and armpits.
Word/Phrase: Present | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 The author in our story says "We’re doing the flag as a present. We would not be paid for the flag. It would be a present." What does the word "present" mean in this sentence?
A. existing at this time
B. a soft type of fabric
C. a favor
D. a gift *
Which sentence below uses the word "present" correctly?
A. I am only allowed to open up my birthday present after I read the card first. *
B. The present we used on this blanket is very soft.
C. I present to you, the King of England!
D. My dad reads a book to my brother and I before we go to bed every present.
Word/Phrase: Seamstress | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 The author in our story says "I am a seamstress." What does the word "seamstress" mean in this sentence?
A. a mother of more than one child
B. a person who works with wood.
C. a woman who fought in the army during the war
D. a person whose occupation is sewing *
Which sentence below uses the word "seamstress" correctly?
A. The leg on our dining chair broke, so we took it to the seamstress to fix with her woodworking tools.
B. My dress is too long, so I am taking it to the seamstress to hem. *
C. The seamstress during the war was in charge of firing the canons.
D. The seamstress at the restaurant brought us to our table.
Word/Phrase: Independent | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q4 The author in our story says "The army had to fight more battles. Just saying they were independent did not make it true. What does the word "independent" mean in this sentence?
A. Free and not owned or ruled under someone else *
B. permitted to mow the lawn
C. to follow directions
D. taking a shower
Which sentence below uses the word "independent" correctly?
A. My dog is independent and has to use a leash when I walk him outside.
B. My independent older sister borrowed money and the car from my dad.
C. The boy grew up and was independent from his parents. *
D. I was independent from my mom when I was a baby.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.3d, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4c,
 
     
     
 
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
Message Why was the creation of the Flag so important?
In the text, the author writes "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.”

Why was the creation of this flag so important to the army? Why do you think George Washington wanted to inspire his army? 

Who else do you think it inspired? Does it still inspire people today?


Sent on: Oct 9, 2015 by: Amber Hamilton		 0
Message Why is July 4th celebrated as Independence day?
In the text it says "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."

Why do you think we celebrate July 4th as our independence day, even though the war went on for 7 more years? Explain your answer. 

 


Sent on: Oct 9, 2015 by: Amber Hamilton		 0
Message The Making of the Flag
The author writes "I was proud when I saw the flag. I didn’t just make a flag. I was part of making the United States."

Why do you think the author feels this way? Do you think she made a contribution into making the United States? Why or why not?


Sent on: Oct 9, 2015 by: Amber Hamilton		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (30 points)
Instructions: Neither Betsy Ross nor the author knew that the flag they created would soon symbolize freedom, sacrifice and determination for years to come. Why is the American flag so important to our country? Do you think the flag would be any different if they had known how popular it would still be to this day? Explain your answers in a 500 word essay. 
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2,
 
     

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