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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: Alicia Russell Lesson Length: 2 hours Keywords/Tags: The First Flag, reading, writing Lesson Description: The goal of this lesson is to give students the opportunity to use their reading, comprehension, and writing skills to reflect upon the first flag of the United States of America. By reading and rereading the story, students are asked questions to guide them through the comprehension of the story and focus is placed upon specific vocabulary words.
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.RI.3.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

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 (45 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

	How does the flag inspire the army? How was the flag symbolic to the soldier's fight? What did the flag mean to the soldiers? Sent on: Feb 26, 2017 by: Alicia Russell	0

	The flag is a present. Why did Betsy Ross want to give the flag as a gift to George Washington? What do you think making the flag meant to her? Do you think she thought being a part of it was special? Sent on: Feb 26, 2017 by: Alicia Russell	0

	Independence Day When the soldier's flew the new flag on July 4th, they celebrated the first Independence Day. What was important about celebrating July 4th that year? What traditions does your family celebrate on the 4th of July each year? Sent on: Feb 26, 2017 by: Alicia Russell	0

Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.3,

Task 3: Writing Activity (35 points)

Instructions: Imagine you were Betsy Ross' seamstress helper on the day George Washington and his men came to present their idea of the new flag. In 2 paragraphs explain how you would feel given the importance of the task. What ideas would you give to Betsy Ross and how would you help her in making the flag? Reflect upon whether you agree with the author when they say "I was proud when I saw the flag. I didn’t just make a flag. I was part of making the United States." Give specific examples of how you agree or disagree with this statement.

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

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