Civic Literacy Curriculum
Question 66: What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Q66: What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
A. The United States and the American flag
B. The President and the Vice President
C. The American flag and the White House
D. The Constitution and federal laws
Background
Flags motivate soldiers, who can see when they have taken an enemy position—as the famous image of Marines raising the flag at Mount Suribachi during the Battle at Iwo Jima attests. But, especially in earlier periods of mass combat, flags have also helped to rally and organize soldiers to stay with their units.
The first black Medal of Honor winner was Sergeant William H. Carney, who received the medal for defending the flag on July 18, 1863 at the second Battle of Fort Wagner. Carney, an escaped slave who had settled in Massachusetts and had first considered a career in Christian ministry, instead joined the now famous 54th Massachusetts company, the all-black unit under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
The battle did not go well for the Union soldiers, who suffered massive casualties, including Colonel Shaw; Confederate soldiers also shot the unit’s banner bearer. Carney not only prevented the flag’s capture but, even though wounded repeatedly, advanced forward with it before the unit was forced to retreat. Carney delivered the flag back to the rest of his division, famously observing, “Boys, I did but my duty; the dear old flag never touched the ground!”
Few of us make that level of commitment, but the flag is still a specific and unifying force for Americans, standing for the constitutional republic created by our Constitution
“I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
As the Supreme Court observed in 1989, “The very purpose of a national flag is to serve as a symbol of our country; it is, one might say, the one visible manifestation of two hundred years of nationhood.” Symbols are important, but what they stand for is what actually matters. In a sense, the pledge is a set of words, and the flag is just a piece of cloth- but in honoring either, we honor what they stand for, which is the principles of the American republic, such as the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
Arizona bill is the latest in a long history of Pledge of Allegiance Fights (KJZZ Interview with Liz Evans, Program Director of Civic Education and Outreach)
Discussion Prompts
Below are two discussion prompts that can be used by teachers in a classroom setting.
- The first discussion prompt will be one that is designed to support students that are not really understanding the content in a way that would help them to answer the test question.
- The second discussion prompt will be one that is designed to further student understanding of the content by making real-world connections, including connections to current events and historical events.
Background
The Pledge of Allegiance is just one way for people to show their loyalty to the flag and to the nation. People take a variety of actions to help them demonstrate their support for the ideas represented in the Constitution of the United States.
Prompt 1
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy and published in the Youth’s Companion. In 1923, the U.S. adopted the Pledge, and it has been a staple in schools and other events ever since. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? How do we show respect while saying the Pledge?
Prompt 2
There are people who say that we should not pressure anyone to say the Pledge of Allegiance because doing so violates a number of freedoms -- speech, conscience, and religion, to name a few. Others make the case that every American should be encouraged to make this pledge to their country as part of their civic duty. With which side do you agree? Use current and past events to support your answer.
K-2 Lesson
American Flag
By Rachel DeChristina
Lesson Summary: Students will learn about the American flag by watching a video or reading a story about it. When they are finished, there will be a classroom discussion, and then students will have the chance to learn how to fold the American Flag.
Learning Objectives:
Students can identify what we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Grades 3-5 Lesson Plan
The Pledge of Allegiance
By Debora Masker
Lesson Summary: This lesson provides information on the “Pledge of Allegiance” and its purpose.
Learning Objectives:
● Students will understand the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance.
● Students will explore the significance of the words and their connection to American
values
Grades 6-8 Lesson Plan
The Pledge of Allegiance
By Amy Livingston
Lesson Summary: In this lesson, students will learn the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and why certain changes have occurred along the way through checks and balances and the separation of powers of all three branches of government.
Primary Sources: Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson students will be able to
- Understand the Origin: Students will be able to explain who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, when it was written, and the historical context in which it was created.
- Identify Key Changes: Students will identify and describe the significant changes the Pledge of Allegiance has undergone since its original creation, including adding the phrase “under God.”
- Analyze Historical Significance: Students will discuss the historical and social reasons behind the changes to the Pledge and how these changes reflect broader trends in American history.
- Connect to Contemporary Issues: Students will explore and articulate how the Pledge of Allegiance is used in modern times and debate its relevance and significance in today's society.
Reflect on Personal Perspectives: Students will consider the diverse views and opinions on the subject and reflect on their own perspectives about the Pledge of Allegiance and how they think it should be used in public life.
High School Lesson Plan
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
By Kevan Ottochian
Lesson Summary: Students will work collaboratively to discuss the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance and write a detailed personal take on the lesson’s essential question.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will collaborate to discuss the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance by listening to each other and independently reading on the subject matter.
Write a detailed personal take on the lesson’s essential question.
Adult Learners
Introduction
The American Flag does not “just” represent the country. It represents the men and women who fought not only to create the United States but also defend the ideals that it represents – those contained in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This activity teaches the students how to properly, and respectfully, fold the American Flag.
Preparation
- Provide each group with a copy of the directions.
- Provide each group with a double-sided paper copy of the American flag. Make sure that the canton is on the same side on each copy so that, when the paper flag is folded, everything aligns correctly.
- Provide each group with a copy of the Flag Code (optional).
Note: You may wish to replace a paper copy with a flag from the local dollar store. Or, since most flags sold are 3x5 or 2x3 feet, you may want to use fabric remnants cut to size.
Avoid using heavy paper, or bath or beach towels as they will be too bulky to fold.
Required files
Instructions
- Divide the class into groups of two or four.
- Provide each group/pair with a copy of the directions on how to fold a flag.
- Note that after the directions, three scripts are provided. These scripts can be recited during the flag folding ceremony. Encourage the groups to choose a script to recite while they practice.
- Explain that they are going to learn the proper way to fold the American flag.
- Once the students have practiced using their paper flags, allow them to practice using the classroom flag.
- Remind them that the flag should never touch the ground as this is interpreted as a sign of disrespect. Guidelines for handling the flag can be found in the U.S. Flag Code, specifically sections 8 and 9.
- At the end of the activity, facilitate a class discussion, allowing the students to lead with the questions and comments/observations regarding the symbolism of the folds, why the scripts differ, and why folding the flag a specific way matters.