Social Studies, United States History

Grade 3- 5

Objective

Students will examine the history of the U.S. flag. Students will record the meaning of the flag and the important persons who designed it.

Directions

Students will complete the activity page by using a Web site on Betsy Ross's life (see below for the URL address).
The reading level in this activity can be challenging to lower-level students. Pair them with another student as they go through this activity.
As an extension, students can explore the wide variety of flags used by the colonists and their meanings, as well as drawing them.
Making posters of the different flags is another good extension if time permits.
A play re-enacting the discussion of the flag with Betsy Ross is another good activity for advanced students.

Resources

• copies of To Betsy's House to a Make a Flag
• computer with Internet access
• pencil or pen
• colored pencils, pens, or crayons