Kindergarten
Social Studies
Unit: 03
Lesson: 02
Suggested Duration: 2 days
La bandera de los Estados Unidos y el Juramento a la Bandera
Lesson Synopsis:
In this lesson, students are introduced to the United States flag. They learn that the flag is a symbol of our country. They
learn to recite the pledge of allegiance.
TEKS:
K.1
History. The student understands that holidays are celebrations of special events. The student is expected to:
K.1A
Explain the reasons for national patriotic holidays such as Presidents' Day, Veterans Day, and Independence
Day.
K.1B
Identify customs associated with national patriotic holidays such as parades and fireworks on Independence
Day.
K10
Citizenship. The student understands important symbols, customs, and responsibilities that represent American
beliefs and principles and contribute to our national identity. The student is expected to:
K.10A
Identify the flags of the United States and Texas.
K.10B
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag and the Pledge to the Texas Flag.
Social Studies Skills TEKS:
K.14
K.14B
K15
K.15B
Social Studies skills. The student applies critical-thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a
variety of sources, including electronic technology. The students is expected to:
Obtain information about a topic using a variety of valid visual sources such as pictures, symbols, electronic
media, print material, and artifacts.
Social studies skills. The student communicates in oral and visual forms. The student is expected to:
Create and interpret visuals, including pictures and maps.
GETTING READY FOR INSTRUCTION
Performance Indicator(s):

Create a picture of the United States flag and recite the U.S. pledge. (K.10A, K.10B; K. 15B)
1E, 1F; 3D
Key Understandings and Guiding Questions:
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Los símbolos reflejan nuestras creencias y ayudan a definirnos como un país.
 ¿Por qué los países tienen banderas?
 ¿Qué creencias se reflejan en una bandera?
 ¿Cómo es la bandera de los Estados Unidos?
 ¿Cómo ha cambiado con el paso del tiempo?
 ¿Por qué ha cambiado?
Un juramento es una promesa verbal.
 ¿Qué es un juramento?
 ¿Por qué y cuándo recitamos el juramento?
Vocabulary of Instruction:
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símbolo
bandera
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nación
estado
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juramento
lealtad
Materials:
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Refer to the Notes for Teacher section for materials.
Attachments:
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Handout: Chronology Vocabulary Word Cards (1 set per student or student pair)
Teacher Resource: Pledge of Allegiance
©2012, TESCCC
04/27/13
page 1 of 5
Kindergarten
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 02
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Teacher Resource: Flag Puzzle Instructions
Resources and References:
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None identified
Advance Preparation:
1. Become familiar with content and procedures for the lesson, including the idea that one of the ways we can
outwardly show our respect for the Constitution and our country is by identifying and pledging to the symbols of
our country and state, our flags.
2. Refer to the Instructional Focus Document for specific content to include in the lesson.
3. Select appropriate sections of the textbook and other classroom materials that support the learning for this
lesson.
4. Preview materials and websites according to district guidelines.
5. Prepare materials and handouts as needed.
 Post the words of the Pledge of Allegiance on chart paper (or enlarge the Teacher Resource: Pledge of
Allegiance).
 Print, cut apart, and prepare the Handout: Flag Cards and the Handout: Chronology Vocabulary Word
Cards (1 set per student or student pair). Laminate if possible, or print on card stock.
 Print, cut apart, and prepare the Handout: Pledge Picture Clues (1 set per child and 1 for teacher). Laminate
if possible, or print on card stock.
 Gather a variety of flags or pictures of flags. (In addition to real flags, an internet search can be conducted for
pictures. Conducting an Internet search for “U.S. flags” or “flags” will yield many options.)
 Prepare the pieces for the puzzle activity. One set per student is recommended, and the teacher needs a
sample: rectangle (white, the size of the finished flag to be used as the base), 7 red stripes, 6 white stripes (the
white background could be used instead of white stripes), blue rectangle, 50 small white stars (or a blue rectangle
with 50 stars drawn on it or glued to it). See instructions in Teacher Resource: Flag Puzzle Instructions.
 Locate patriotic music to make available during student work time or center time.
Background Information:
Flags of the United States: Prior to 1777 the patriots fought under the Grand Union flag. In 1777, the Continental
Congress approved a new flag with 13 stripes and 13 stars representing the 13 colonies. Each time a state entered the
union, one star and one stripe were added. In 1818, the U.S. Congress set the number of stripes at 13 but agreed to
continue to add a star for each new state.
The Cub Scout manual can be helpful in providing background information about customs, traditions, and care of the flag.
GETTING READY FOR INSTRUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL PLANNING DOCUMENT
Instructors are encouraged to supplement and substitute resources, materials, and activities to differentiate instruction to address the needs of learners.
The Exemplar Lessons are one approach to teaching and reaching the Performance Indicators and Specificity in the Instructional Focus
Document for this unit. Instructors are encouraged to create original lessons using the Content Creator in the Tools Tab located at the top of the page.
All originally authored lessons can be saved in the “My CSCOPE” Tab within the “My Content” area.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
Instructional Procedures
Notes for Teacher
ENGAGE – Introduction to the U.S. flag
1. Display a variety of flags. Actual flags or pictures may be
used. These could include flags from other countries,
including flags representing the cultural heritage of students
in the class, flags from other states, college flags, scout
flags, school flags, etc. Included in the group should be a
U.S. flag.
2. Teacher guides students to identify the U.S. flag by asking
questions such as:
 What are these? (flags)
 Do you recognize any of them?
 What is the purpose of a flag?
©2012, TESCCC
04/27/13
NOTE: 1 Day = 30 minutes
Suggested Day 1 - 5 minutes
Materials:
 variety of flags
Purpose:
Students begin to develop an understanding of the
meaning of flags as symbols of something larger.
TEKS: K.1A, K.1B, K.10A, K.10B, K. 15B.
Instructional Note:
 Since students have been saying the Pledge of
Allegiance each day since the beginning of
page 2 of 5
Kindergarten
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 02
Instructional Procedures
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Notes for Teacher
Where have you seen flags before?
Which flag is the flag of our country, the United
States flag?
Where have you seen this flag before? (Encourage
responses related to celebrations including 4th of July,
parades, in the classroom, etc. This will come up again in
Lesson 4.)
EXPLORE – Learning about the U.S. flag
1. Explain that the American flag is a symbol that represents
the United States.
 A symbol stands for a person, thing, or event.
2. Show students the flag and have them look for the different
shapes.
 What shapes do you see on the flag? (rectangles,
stars)
3. Students point out the rectangles and stars on the flag.
Guide students to recognize the shapes as part of the flag.
4. Hold up the sample pieces for the flag activity: red stripes,
white stripes, blue rectangle and stars.
 When we put all of these shapes together in the
correct way, they make our U.S. flag.
 What colors are used on the flag?
 Why do you think they chose these colors when they
designed the flag? Do you think the colors mean
anything?
EXPLAIN – Learning the history of the U.S. flag
1. Show students a picture of the first American flag and explain
that this flag was the first American flag.
2. Show students a picture of the current American Flag and
explain that this is the flag we have today.
3. Ask: What is the same about these two flags?
school, they should be relatively familiar with it.
Reciting it will be assessed later in this lesson.
Suggested Day 1 (cont’d) - 10 minutes
Materials:
 U.S. map with state outlines or globe
 small star
 paper shapes to make a flag
Purpose:
Students begin to understand the meaning of the
colors, stripes, and stars on the U.S flag.
TEKS: K.10A, K.10B, K. 15B.
Instructional Note:
Picture books that teach character traits such as
bravery and perseverance and picture books about
the U.S. flag and pledge should be available in the
classroom library or listening center.
Suggested Day 1 (cont’d) - 15 minutes
Attachments:
 Handout: Chronology Vocabulary Words
Purpose:
Students begin to develop an understanding of the
changes the flag has undergone over time and
practice using words showing chronological
relationships.
4. Ask: What is different about these two flags?
TEKS: K.10A, K.10B, K.15B.
5. Distribute the cards from the Handout: Chronology
Vocabulary Words. Students (in pairs or groups of 4)
describe the flags using the chronology words.
Instructional Note:
To enhance the lesson have music available to play
while students are working or at the listening center
during center time. Conduct an internet search for
patriotic music for children.
ENGAGE/EXPLORE – Learning about the pledge
1. Read an age-appropriate picture book about the U.S. Flag.
2. After reading the book, display the Pledge of Allegiance (if
desired, use the Teacher Resource: Pledge of Allegiance)
and briefly explain the meaning of the words in the pledge of
allegiance:
 Pledge – promise
©2012, TESCCC
04/27/13
Suggested Day 2 - 10 minutes
Materials:
 Picture book about the flag
Attachments:
 Teacher Resource: Pledge of Allegiance.
Purpose:
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Kindergarten
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 02
Instructional Procedures
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Notes for Teacher
Allegiance – loyalty, faithfulness
United States of America – our country (point to
map)
Republic – a group who is governed by a democracy
Stands – a symbol
Nation – a group of people who live under the rule of
a government
Indivisible – unable to be split apart
Liberty – freedom to make decisions for yourself
Justice – when everyone is treated fairly
For all – every citizen of the United States of America
Students learn the meaning of the pledge they say
each morning.
TEKS: K.10A, K.10B, K.15B.
3. Point to the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Lead students in saying the Pledge of Allegiance while
pointing to the posted words.
5. Continue discussion about the pledge by asking:
 Why do we say this every morning? (Pledge means
promise. When we pledge to the flag, we are making
a promise to honor or care about the flag, a symbol
of our country. When we honor the flag, because it
is a symbol of our country, we are promising to
honor our country. To honor means to be loyal or to
be “a friend” to the flag and the United States.)
6. Repeat the pledge.
EXPLAIN
Suggested Day 2 (cont’d) - 10 minutes
Attachments:
 Teacher Resource: Pledge of Allegiance.
1. Continue to display the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Working in pairs, students again practice saying the pledge
of allegiance, this time to one another.
Purpose:
Students practice reciting the pledge.
TEKS: K.10A, K.10B, K. 15B.
ELABORATE – Respect for the flag
1. Facilitate a discussion about the lesson’s Key
Understandings and Guiding Questions:
 Symbols reflect our beliefs and help define us as a
country.
— Why do countries have flags?
— What beliefs are reflected in the flag?
— What does the U.S. flag look like?
— How has it changed over time?
— Why has it changed?
 A pledge is a verbal promise.
— What is a pledge?
— Why and when do we recite the pledge?
Suggested Day 2 (cont’d) - 5 minutes
Materials:
 Cub Scout manual (or other source of information
on the U.S. flag (Optional)
2. Continue the discussion by asking students how we show
respect for the flag.
3. Students discuss the customs and traditions surrounding the
flag and the pledge. (A person stands and places his right
©2012, TESCCC
04/27/13
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Kindergarten
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 02
Instructional Procedures
Notes for Teacher
hand on his heart to salute the flag and when saying the
Pledge of Allegiance.)
4. Teacher and students demonstrate and show pictures
(perhaps from Cub Scout manual).
EVALUATE – Have students achieved mastery?

Create a picture of the United States flag and recite the
U.S. pledge. (K.10A, K.10B; K. 15B)
1E, 1F; 3D
1. Students complete the flag puzzle activity. (See Teacher
Resource: Flag Puzzle Instructions.)
Suggested Day 2 (cont’d) - 5 minutes
Materials:
 red, white, and blue construction paper
Attachments:
 Teacher Resource: Flag Puzzle Instructions
2. As students work to put their flags together, evaluate each
student reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
©2012, TESCCC
04/27/13
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