RESOURCE UNIT ON
PATRIOTISM
ED 417
11-20-01
BY:
KEISHIA JOHNSON
BETH
RYAN
JAIME TRICK
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PATRIOTISM
CONTENTS
SECTION
PAGE NUMBER
Introduction ……………………………………….
3
Content
……………………………………….
4-5
Concepts
……………………………………….
6
Objectives
……………………………………….
7-8
Activities
……………………………………….
9-14
Evaluation
……………………………………….
15-16
Instructional Resources
………………………… 17-20
Teacher References
………………………… 17
Students References
………………………... 17-18
Media References
………………………… 18-20
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INTRODUCTION
PATRIOTISM
It is crucial for elementary children to learn and understand the term patriotism, how to be
patriotic and familiarize themselves with symbols that represent patriotism in order to fully
understand how America functions. Children will learn how to become better Americans
through simulations. They will also be exposed to America’s patriotic history and the impact
that it has had on the United States of America. The children will be exposed to the following
five categories within the Patriotism unit.
1. What is an American?
2. The American Flag
3. Symbols and Famous Sites in America
4. Leaders in the United States
5. What is Voting
Our unit will last for six days and students will be introduce to a new subject each day.
The children will be exposed to photos, debates, songs, symbols, computer software, historic
articles, crafts, videos, books and actual voting polls. Through this unit we hope to offer the
student’s a better understanding and firm knowledge of America’s history leading to the
present. The main purpose of the unit is for the students to become enthusiastic and more aware
of all of the positive patriotic aspects that America holds and cherishes.
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CONTENT
PATRIOTISM
SUMMARY OF UNIT
1. WHAT IS AN AMERICAN?

On the first day, the students will learn what it means to be an
American. They will learn the characteristics that set us apart from
people of other nations and understand the freedom that has been
given to us. The students will exercise this understanding through
writing exercises and other activities of contrast and comparison. As
a part of the patriotic theme and learning about our beautiful country,
the students will learn the song “America”.
2. OUR COUNTRIES FLAG

On the second day, the students will learn about the history and
importance of our country’s flag. We will get into in depth discussions
about what the flag represents and who designed the flag, as well as
learning the words to (if not already known) “The Pledge of
Allegiance.”
3. SYMBOLS AND SITES

On the third day, the students will learn about significant symbols and
sites in our country and the value they possess to many Americans. As
a part of the patriotic theme, the students will learn the words to
“You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
4. LEADERS IN OUR COUNTRY

On the fourth day, students will learn about the characteristics of some
of our most prominent leaders in order to understand the purpose of
leaders and what they do. The students will be involved in an activity
that aids in their understanding of who leaders are and what they do.
As a part of the patriotic theme, the students will learn our National
Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.
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5. VOTING

On the fifth day, the students will learn about why people vote,
various voting concepts, and the importance of voting through
simulations. As a part of the patriotic theme, the students will learn
the words to “America the Beautiful.”
6. EVALUATION

On the final day each student will be given an evaluation to test his or
her level of comprehension. The evaluation will consist of five
multiple-choice questions, two objective questions, and two short
essay questions. This test will exhibit whether or not the students
retained and applied the information presented to them. It will also
prove the effectiveness of the lesson and any changes that may need to
be made in order to make it a more valuable learning experience.
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CONTENT
PATRIOTISM
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
1. America
2. America the Beautiful
3. You’re a Grand Old Flag
4. The Star Spangled Banner
5. The Pledge of Allegiance
6. Flag
7. Stars
8. Stripes
9. Red, White, and Blue
10. Betsy Ross
11. Ballot
12. Campaign
13. Elections
14. Registration Card
15. Democrats
16. Republicans
17. Polls
18. Great Seal of the U.S.A.
19. Bald Eagle
20. Statue of Liberty
21. Mount Rushmore
22. Capitol
23. Washington Monument
24. White House
25. Pentagon
26. Freedom
27. Freedom of speech
28. Rights
29. Values
30. Liberty
31. Justice
32. Bill of Rights
33. The Constitution
34. The Declaration of Independence
35. George W. Bush
36. George Washington
37. President
38. Vice President
39. Congress
40. White House
41. Inauguration
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OBJECTIVES
PATRIOTISM
The students will be able to do the following:
1. Identify patriotism.
2. Identify an American.
3. Briefly explain what makes each individual an American in a
paragraph.
4. Define what makes them patriotic.
5. Identify and name three significant symbols and their importance.
6. Identify and name five significant sites and their importance.
7. Recite the words to “You’re a Grand Ole Flag” with 100% accuracy.
8. Discuss the importance of each object in the Great Seal of the U.S.A.
9. Explain what the significant sites and symbols mean to them in
complete sentences.
10. Discuss the importance of voting.
11. Recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” with 100% accuracy and be able
to explain what it stands for.
12. Research and find information on their own or in groups via Internet,
encyclopedias and books.
13. Identify our country’s leaders by specific characteristics.
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14. Orally present facts and characteristics about a leader to the rest of
the class.
15. Express what it means to them to be an American through a writing
activity.
16. Compare and contrast characteristics of an American to those of a
person from a different country.
17. Identify what the colors represent in the American Flag.
18. Explain the general history of the United States Flag and who made
the American Flag.
19. Participate in an election and write a paper as to why their candidate
should win.
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ACTIVITIES
Day 1:
PATRIOTISM
What is an American?
INTRODUCTION:
 The students will be introduced to what it means to be an American. The teacher will
introduce the song “America” and talk about how the words describe an American
and the freedom that one has in America.
“America” by Rev. Samuel F. Smith
My country tis’ of Thee
Sweet land of liberty
Of Thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrim’s pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.
DEVELOPMENT:
 The teacher will have the students list along with her what things we can do in
America because we are free. Through a group discussion the teacher will show the
students that not every person in other countries have the same rights and freedom
that we have. Comparisons and contrasts will be brought up. Concepts like liberty
and the freedom of speech will be addressed.
CULMINATING:
 Together as a class the students will make an “Alike and Different” chart that
compares and contrasts an American’s freedom to that in different countries. The
countries graphed will be America, China, Russia, Australia, and Afghanistan. The
final activity will be the “Freedom” acrostic. Students will pair up and make an
acrostic for the word freedom, putting a word that describes an American for each
letter of the acrostic. The acrostics will be displayed in the classroom for others to
see that Americans all have freedom in so many unique and different ways.
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ACTIVITIES
Day 2:
PATRIOTISM
United States Flag
INTRODUCTION:
 The teacher will introduce the lesson by having everyone stand and say the “Pledge of
Allegiance.” Then further discussion about the history of the flag, what it represents
and who made it will take place.
“The Pledge of Allegiance”
“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.”
DEVELOPMENT:
 Students will observe the American Flag and talk about what it means to them. They
will learn about what the colors of the flag mean. Then they will watch a video, “The
Flag.”
CULMINATING:
 Students will make their own American Flags after observing the flag and watching
the video. Students will then write a descriptive paper in which they will state facts
that they learned about the American Flag and patriotism.
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ACTIVITIES
DAY 3:
PATRIOTISM
SYMBOLS AND SITES
INTRODUCTION:
 The students will be introduced to many significant symbols and sites within our
country. The symbols include the following: the Statue of Liberty, the Great Seal of
the U.S.A., and the Bald Eagle. The sites include the following: the Capital, the White
House, and Mount Rushmore, the Pentagon, and the Washington Monument. The
students will also be learning the words to the song, “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by
George M. Cohan.
“You’re a Grand Old Flag”
You’re a grand old flag, you’re a high-flying flag and forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of the land I love. The home of the free and the brave. Ev’ry heart
beats true ‘neath the Red, White and Blue, where there’s never a boast or brag. Should
auld acquaintance be forgot, keep your eye on the grand old flag.
You’re a grand old flag, you’re a high-flying flag and forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of the land I love. The home of the free and the brave. Ev’ry heart
beats true ’neath the Red, White and Blue, where there’s never a boast or brag. Should
auld acquaintance be forgot, keep your eye on the grand old flag.
DEVELOPMENT:
 The classroom will be displayed with many posters that are representative of the
symbols and sites we are learning about. The teacher will begin the lesson by
presenting the students with a power point presentation that displays each significant
symbol and site on its own slide along with a brief description about it’s importance.
Upon showing the picture, the teacher will first ask if the students know what it is that
is being displayed before the words are revealed. Following this segment of the
lesson, the teacher will show the students a fragment of a videocassette, American
Symbols then the teacher will hand out some patriotic books about national symbols
and sites for the students to further analyze. Now, the teacher will have the class
discuss what they have seen, learned, and ask any questions they may have. This will
help them with their writing assignment.
CULMINATING:
 After the students have familiarized themselves with our countries great sites and
symbols, they will be given a worksheet assignment with pictures, that will require
them to explain in writing, the significance of each site and symbol. After they
complete the first section, the students will be presented with the question- What does
this mean to you? The students are to answer the questions completely and honestly,
next to each picture.
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

Significance’s:
 Statue of Liberty- located in New York. I represent freedom in the world,
hope, life, land of opportunity, and a new world. Immigrants look to this
symbol for all these reasons. Also, it was a gift from France to show support.
 Great Seal of U.S.A.- represents peace, glory, 13 colonies, freedom, defense,
and enlightenment.
 Bald Eagle- represents an endangered species, signs of strength, wisdom, and
freedom.
 Capitol- the seat of our country’s Senate and House of Representatives. It
represents our law making body, rights, and the people’s voice.
 Washington Monument- located in Washington. It is a marble obelisk created
for our first and one of our greatest presidents of the United States- George
Washington. He led us through the American Revolution.
 White House- located in Washington D.C. All the presidents reside here. It
contains 132 rooms and it is the most popular tourist attraction.

Pentagon- located in Arlington, Virginia. It is the home of the United States
Department of Defense. It is the largest office building in the world. It
represents security and the freedom of the nation.
 Mount Rushmore- located in South Dakota’s Black Hills. A granite wall with
carved in the faces of some the greatest presidents ever: G. Washington, T.
Jefferson, T. Roosevelt, and A. Lincoln.
They will then be given another worksheet. This worksheet will require the students
to go into great deal about the Great Seal of the U.S.A. The worksheet will show an
enlarged version of the Great Seal and next to each significant object within the seal
is an arrow pointing to the object and a line. The students are to write the correct
word(s) on each line and state it’s significance. (following this page is an enlarged
version of the Great Seal)
1"U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 19931998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
2"Mount Rushmore National Memorial," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. ©
1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
3"White House, North Portico," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998
Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
4"Pentagon," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft
Corporation. All rights reserved.
5Washington Monument," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft
Corporation. All rights reserved.
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ACTIVITIES
Day 4:
PATRIOTISM
Leaders in our Country
INTRODUCTION:
 The students will be introduced to the leaders of this country. The teacher will begin
by showing pictures of prominent leaders, such as George Washington, George W.
Bush, Bill Clinton, and others. The students can try to guess who that person is and a
significant thing they have been or done. The students will also learn the words to
“The Star Spangled Banner”.
“The Star Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof to the night, that our flag was still there.
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and home of the brave?
DEVELOPMENT:
 The teacher will lead a discussion about are prominent leaders, specifically the
President, Vice-President, and Congress. She will involve the students by asking
them what they think makes a good leader and some things that leaders do.
CULMINATING:
 After learning about leaders and what they do, students will have an opportunity to
research facts about leaders on their own and in groups. Students will work in groups
of 2 or 3. Have each group pick a prominent leader to research. Provide students
with samples of baseball trading cards. Explain that they are going to make trading
cards on their own of the leader they chose. They must include the name, a picture
and facts about that leader. When completed, students will share their trading card
with the rest of the class, and then trade around with others over the next couple of
days. Students can design more cards with time, making sure to keep them altogether
in a 3 ring binder. The binder will ultimately act as a reference guide.
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ACTIVITIES
Day 5:
PATRIOTISM
Voting
INTRODUCTION:
 The teacher will introduce voting by talking about the current or prior presidential
election. Students will make a chart of everything they know about voting. Then the
class will discuss these ideas and sing “America, The Beautiful.”
“America, The Beautifu”l
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!!
God shed His grace on Thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!!
God shed His grace on Thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
DEVELOPMENT:
 Children will look at actual voting ballets and voting polls. A guest speaker will come
in to talk about voting and the importance of voting.
CULMINATING:
 Have the students get into six groups.
 Have each group make up an imaginary president by drawing the figure in bright
colors on a piece of large chart paper.
 Have the group write up a descriptive paper describing their candidates features and
have one person present this information to the class. This speech should be convince
the class to vote for their character.
 After all of the candidates are presented have the students vote at the polls for the one
they would like to be president.
 Let the children tally the votes and declare the “new” president to the class.
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EVALUATION (Day 6)
PATRIOTISM
Name:____________________________________
Multiple Choice (5 points each)
***Read each question and choose the correct answer by circling the best answer.
1. I am located in New York. I was given as a gift from France. I represent freedom,
hope, life and a land of opportunity. I am the _____________.
a.) Bald Eagle
b.) Great Seal of the U.S.A.
c.) Statue of Liberty
d.) Washington Monument
2. I have 132 rooms. I am a popular tourist attraction. If I were President Bush I would be
living in the __________.
a.) Pentagon
b.) Capitol
c.) Status of Liberty
d.) White House
3. Which document is the statement, “freedom of speech,” found in?
a.) The Constitution
b.) Bill of Rights
c.) Declaration of Independence
4. Who made the American Flag?
a.) George Washington
b.) Betsy Ross
c.) Abraham Lincoln
d.) Benjamin Franklin
5. What are two major political parties in the United States government?
a.) Socialists, President
b.) Secretary, Police Office
c.) Republican, Democrat
d.) Mailman, Teacher
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Objective Questions (7 points each)
***Read the question and write your answers in complete sentences.
6. In complete sentences name two things that describe our country in the song,
“America.”
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7. The Capitol is located in Arlington Virginia. It is the home of the United States
Department of Defense. It is the largest office building in the world. It represents security
and the freedom of the nation.
a.) true
b.) false
***What am I then? ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Short Essay Questions (10 points each)
*** Read the question and answer in complete sentences.
8. Explain the significance of the Great Seal of the U.S.A. and name each object in the
seal and what it represents. _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
9. Describe what it means to have “freedom” in America in three sentences.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
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RESOURCES
(Teacher References)
PATRIOTISM
History Speaks. Activity books. 1997.
This contains 9 activity books with reproducible pages. These books will help young
people understand the impact of historical documents on their lives today.
Games and Strategies for Teaching U.S. History. Activity book. J. Weston. 1998.
This is an activity book with reproducible pages that offer engaging classroom tested
games and simulations. It comes with quizzes and charts.
Symbols of a Great Nation. Activity book. Instructional Fair. 1998.
This is a reproducible activity book with dozens of background readings and short
exercises combined to help students define symbols, monuments and landmarks that are
uniquely American.
Presidents on the Internet. Reproducible pages. Goodyear. 1999.
This is an activity book with reproducible pages. It lists 3 websites and provides 2
extension lessons for each of the Presidents.
Elections. Simulation Materials. Teacher Created Materials, 2000.
This contains age appropriate activities, art projects, and games using cooperative groups
to simulate elections.
RESOURCES
(Student References)
PATRIOTISM
Shhh! We’re Writing the Constitution. Book. Jean Fritz.
This book allows students to get an inside view on the writing of the Constitution and on
figures in history of great importance.
Library of American Landmarks. Books, complete set.
This set comes with 6 books that have sites of great historical importance all over our
country. Students can get a feel for these sites without ever seeing them in person.
A Kid’s Guide to America Bill of Rights. Book by Kathleen Kroll, 1999.
This is a great version of the Bill of Rights for kids to read on their own. It summarizes
and modernizes the language for all ages to understand.
We the People . Book.
This is a paper book that allows children to understand their role as an American and
what their forefathers have done for them by writing the Constitution. It is beneficial to
any classroom.
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A Young Patriot. Book by Jim Murphy.
This is a paperback that helps young children understand the role of a historical patriot
that helped shape our history. It encourages them as children to have that same kind of
patriotism.
The Declaration of Independence. Book by Don Nardo
This book helps children understand the Declaration of Independence better as it
summarizes the events and the historical figures surrounding it.
100 Americans Who Shaped History. Book by Samuel Crompton.
This book is excellent to use as a reference within the classroom. It will help the students
become familiar with Americans from history and what they did for this country.
American Symbols: True Books. Book by Children’s Press.
This is a set of books that would be a great reference for historical sites and symbols
found all over the country. Great for kids use in class.
Book of the New Americn Nation. By, Marlene Smith.
This book helps students understand the changes that our country went through and it
describes the leaders of America.
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/KidFun101/KidsParties4th/HolidayFunPg10Patriotic.html
This site offers fun patriotic songs that kids can play and interact with. A great tool to
use as a reference for research on historical songs.
RESOURCES
(Media References)
PATRIOTISM
VIDEOS:
The Statue of Liberty. Video by Ken Burns.
This video shows the location of the Statue and its meaning. The length is 60 minutes.
The Congress. Video by Ken Burns.
This video shows who is involved in Congress, Congress’s role and the laws that are set
by Congress. Its length is 90 minutes.
What is a Flag? Video, 1994.
This video explores the history of the flag, why the flag is an American symbol and the
purposes of the flag.
What is an American? Video, 1994.
Children learn about early American settlers and how Americans are unique.
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Leaders of Early America. Video by Discovery Channel School, 1997.
This portrays the roles of Paul Revere, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and
others.
American Independence. Video by Schlessinger, 1996.
This shows children what Independence is all about and how our country got there’s. It
is 25 minutes long.
Who is an American? Video, 1992.
This video is 26 minutes long and features the Declaration of Independence allowing
children to understand it.
U.S. Songs and Poems. Video.
This video features the songs “The Star Spangled Banner”, “America the Beautiful”, and
many others that the children can sing along with.
United States Flag. Video, 1996.
This Video is 25 minutes long and features the story of our flag by incorporating the
evolution of the flag and songs.
“The Star Spangled Banner” Video, 1998.
This can be taped off of the History Channel and is about 50 minutes long. It shows how
this song was written and the purpose behind all the words the writer used. It also shows
how it became our National Anthem.
Presidents. Video, 1989.
This video shows the role of the President and his actions that he is involved in.
Transparencies:
Votes for Women. Transparency, 2000.
This comes with reproducible pages and shows the fight for the 19th amendment.
Election 2000. Transparency. Highsmith, 2000.
This shows issues and personalities of Campaign 2000 in caricature and cartoons.
Posters:
Star Spangled Banner. Poster. Teacher Discovery, 1997.
This poster is an excellent tool for showing capitols and sites like the Statue of Liberty.
Famous US Documents Bulletin Board. Bulletin Board Set.
This set includes 4 posters, the Constitution, and other historical documents that can
create a teaching technique for the wall.
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Flag Display:
Historic Flags of Our Country. Simulation.
This includes 10 stands, guides, flags and symbols from all over our country.
Books:
Will You Sign Here, John Hancock. By, Jean Frip.
This book presents an informal biography of the historical figures that helped shaped
America.
Cassette Tape:
Famous Documents. Cassette Tapes, 2000.
These tapes are great tools for the children to listen to about the signing of the
CD-Rom:
Declaration of Independence.
All About Elections. Software by Thomas Klise, 1999.
This software walks children through the process of voting and choosing someone. It is
very educational and interactive.
Photos:
Presidential Pictures. Photos.
This packet comes with 50 different photo aids about our Presidents, past and present. It
allows children to become familiar with their faces and characteristics of them.
World Wide Web (WWW):
Website from Internet.
These are fun facts about the flag and the flag’s history pertaining to our country.
http://www.surfnetkids.com/flag.htm
Website from Internet.
This site offers songs that kids can play and learn through various activities.
http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/grandoldflag.html
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