Flag Day

Objective:
The students will write a description of a flag.
 

Materials

• The United States Flag (or any other flag.)  Pictures of flags may be used as well.  Refer to the following web sites: Flags, National Flags, or Flags Of The World.  If the class will be doing this project individually, have enough pictures of flags so there is one per student.  If you do not have a color printer, print out the coloring pages of flags at the following link, Coloring Book Of Flags. Show the students the color picture of their flag and have them quickly fill in the colors before writing their descriptions.
• Paper
• Writing Utensils
• Chart Paper or Blackboard (if done as a whole class)

Procedure

1. Decide whether the whole class will participate in writing a description, or if the students will do so individually. 
2. Have the students study the flag they will be describing in their writing. This will be done by either having the entire class view the one flag they will be describing, or by handing out pictures of various flags to each individual student.  What colors are in the flag?  What symbols are used?  Where are the colors and symbols placed in the flag?  How would the students write a description of the flag for someone who cannot see it?  If this project is being done as a whole class, record their descriptive sentences on chart paper.
3. If older students are doing this project individually, have them keep their flag picture a secret.  Once their descriptions are written, display the flag pictures for all the students to view.  Then each student may read their description while the rest of the class tries to match the description with the picture. 

Other Lesson Ideas

1. As an alternative to the above lesson.  Combine the Language Arts lesson with the Art Lesson.  Have the students write a description of the flag they have created during the art lesson.  They may want to include a description of the process of creating their flag and what any of the symbols mean.
2. Have a lesson on symbols and what they mean.  Discuss the different symbols used in the American Flag.  Relate this to symbols used in written language.  What do the different punctuation marks mean- . , ? !
3. Read the Pledge of Allegiance.  Make a list of the unknown words and look up their definitions.  If desired use the Pledge of Allegiance Worksheet.  (Most appropriate for older students.)
4. Have the students complete the thought "When I see our country's flag, I think about..."
5. Have a phonics lesson on the fl- blend.
6. Learn how to sign the Pledge of Allegiance.  Use the following link for help, Signing The Pledge.