American Centuries

Pocumtuck Valley
Memorial Association

American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > The American Flag – Symbols of Today and Yesterday

The American Flag – Symbols of Today and Yesterday

Details

Author
Janet Ducharme
Topic/Subject Area
Customs, Holidays, Rituals
Historical Era
Revolutionary America, 1763–1783, The New Nation, 1784–1815, Progressive Era, World War I, 1900–1928, Great Depression and World War II, 1929–1945, New Millennium, 1990–Present
Grade Level
Elementary (K–5)
Creation Date
2010
Last Revision Date
2024

Related items

About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

Children will understand that the American flag has changed over time in the U.S. but continues to symbolize pride, unity and strength. They will understand that homemade flags of different sorts were used by Americans. They will develop a beginning understanding of how historians use primary sources and previous knowledge to develop theories about our past. Children are encouraged to think, question and share ideas.

Materials & Resources

Collection Items
Books
Websites

Teaching Plan

  1. Review information that children already know about the American flag.
  2. Ask questions that require children to think about what the flag means, where we see it, and the materials used.
  3. Show children “Firing the Cannon” from the online collection.
  4. Tell students that historians use real pictures of primary sources to help them learn about events of long ago.
  5. Encourage discussions about what they see in the picture and what it tells.
  6. Read and discuss the book Stars and Stripes: The story of the American Flag by Sarah L. Thomson. Note the different flags.
  7. Review the meaning of primary source. Show the flag remnant picture. Children discuss, question and develop theories.
  8. Children draw a picture of what they think the flag looked like. They write a brief description. They share their work.