Grade: Grade 5 Subject: English Language Arts Created by: Elise Ward Lesson Length: 45 minutes Keywords/Tags: American Flag, Revolutionary War, American History, Betsy Ross Lesson Description: Students will learn about the history and significance of the American Flag. The lesson will also build on reading comprehension skills and vocabulary acquisition.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3: Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a: Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1c: Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2e: Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3c: Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3d: Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.6: With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4a: Use context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
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
Betsy Ross made her living as a seamstress, and had many customers. She sewed many things, including clothes, blankets, and curtains. Each day, she would start with a pile of cloth and create things people paid her to make for them. Everyone knew she would do a wonderful job, so they came to her home and asked her to make many items for them. Business was so good, and as she began to get very busy, Betsy hired me to help. I am an experienced seamstress, so I can sew very well.
On my first day, three men came to her home and asked if she could make a flag. I listened to them talk with great interest. One of them was named George Washington. I had heard of him, and now here he was right in front of me. He came to the store in May. I remember it very well because it was my birthday that day. Washington was leading the army, but the army did not currently have a flag. The army was fighting for freedom, but at the time no one knew if we would win.
The men showed Betsy Ross a drawing of the flag of the new country. It had stars and stripes. I said, “Silver stars would be great.” Betsy said, “No, it will be too difficult to make those. The flag should be red, white, and blue.” So we set to work that day.
We worked on the flag for a solid month. It would be very big. In addition to sewing the flag, we had to do other work, too. Betsy said we had to make more clothes to get money. We were making the flag as a present, which meant we would not be paid for the flag.
Finally the flag was complete, so George Washington sent someone to come 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 difficult 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
"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 feel tired.
B. To listen to directions.
C. To make a promise.
D. To stir up a feeling in someone, giving them the urge and ability to do something. *
Out of the sentences below, which sentence uses the word "inspire" correctly?
A. She inspired to be a Prima Ballerina someday.
B. The story inspired many people to work hard. *
C. Being mean to someone will inspire them to be friendly.
D. She got tired of playing the game, so she kept playing.
Word/Phrase: Seamstress | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q2
The author in the passage says "Betsy Ross made her living as a seamstress, and had many customers." What does the word "seamstress" mean in this sentence?
A. One who earns a living making fishing nets.
B. One who earns a living by sewing. *
C. One who earns a living by giving injured people stitches.
D. One who earns a living by making furniture.
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "seamstress" correctly?
A. The seamstress sewed the hole in my dress. *
B. The seamstress showed me the design for my new couch.
C. After I had injured my chin, the seamstress at the hospital gave me stitches to heal my injury.
D. The seamstress made a perfect net for my fishing trip next week.
Word/Phrase: Hired | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q3
The author says "Business was so good, and as she began to get very busy, Betsy hired me to help." What does the word "hired" mean in this sentence?
A. You are being paid to do a job for someone. *
B. To go up in the air in a helicopter.
C. To lose a job.
D. To climb a tree.
Which sentence below uses the word "hired" correctly?
A. I got hired, so I took a nap.
B. I did not come to work, so I got hired.
C. Sarah hired me because she knew that I would get the job done. *
D. Jimmy climbed hired on the jungle gym than I did.
Word/Phrase: Independent | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4
"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. Being told what to do.
B. Allowed to celebrate The Fourth of July.
C. Growing up and going to work everyday.
D. Earning the freedom to run their own country. *
Which sentence below uses the word "independent" correctly?
A. The United States kept following England's rules, making them independent.
B. Since the United States was independent from England, they could make their own rules. *
C. She needed help reading the book, so she was independent.
D. The school of fish swam independently.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4a,
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
Indepence Day
What makes Independence Day so special? Why do we celebrate Independence Day every year of July 4th? Explain your answer.
Sent on: Oct 4, 2017 by: Elise Ward
0
Fighting for Freedom
What do you think that it was like to be a soldier in the Revolutionary War? How do you think the soldiers felt seeing the very first American Flag?
Sent on: Oct 4, 2017 by: Elise Ward
0
How would you feel...
How would you feel if George Washington gave you a special job during such an important time?
Sent on: Oct 4, 2017 by: Elise Ward
0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1c, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3d, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.6,
Task 3: Writing Activity
(30 points)
Instructions: In the United States, it is never difficult to spot an American Flag waving high above us. What does the American Flag mean to you, and to our country? What do the stars and stripes represent on the American Flag? What are some similarities and differences between the very first flag designed by Betsy Ross, and today's flag? In what ways can we show respect toward the American Flag? Please answer the questions above in a detailed 500 word essay.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2e, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3c, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.4,
