Seminar Plan: Symbols of America
Text: Betsy Ross, 1777 (resource from LOC - http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2002719536/ )
Ideas and Values: Citizen, Democracy, Emotion, History, Sign and Symbol
GLE’s:
PREK
5. Participate in patriotic activities (PK-CSS-C2) (C-1D-E4)
K
20. Identify customs associated with national holidays (H-1C-E1)
1st
23. Identify patriotic songs and American symbols (C-1D-E4)
2nd
27. Explain the significance of national holidays and the achievements of the people
associated with them (C-1D-E4)
50. Identify and describe the significance of various community landmarks and symbols
(H-1C-E2)
3rd
29. Identify the qualities of people who were leaders and good citizens as shown by their
honesty, courage, trustworthiness, and patriotism (C-1D-E3)
55. Identify and describe the significance of various state and national landmarks and
symbols (H-1C-E2)
4th
52. Describe the point of view of an historical figure or group, drawing on given stimulus
material (e.g., views expressed in the “I Have a Dream” speech) (H-1A-E2)
58. Describe the importance of events and ideas significant to our nation’s development
(H-1C-E1)
5th
22. Identify different points of view about key events in early American history (H-1AM2)
23. Identify the causes, effects, or impact of a given event in early American history (H1A-M3)
Pre-Seminar Content Steps:
Introduce important facts about Christopher Columbus:
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United Streaming (The History of the American Flag)
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=F868FC21-2772-43E2852E-17E30E96FF1C&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
LCC activities
Other appropriate resources.
Days before post picture up in the classroom.
 Have students during a rotation look at the picture and write down questions they
have about the picture on post-it notes around the print.
 Have them re-draw the picture.
Every nation has symbols—specific objects that represent beliefs, values, traditions, or other
intangible ideas that make that country unique. While these symbols may change over time, they
can help to bind a nation together by reminding its people of their nation’s history and most
important principles.
According to Betsy Ross's dates and sequence of events, in May the Congressional Committee
called upon her at her shop. She finished the flag either in late May or early June 1776. In July,
the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time at Independence Hall. Amid
celebration, bells throughout the city tolled, heralding the birth of a new nation.
The flag of the United States is commonly known at the “Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory.” On
June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating: “Resolved, That the flag of
the United States be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.” It is
unknown whether Betsy Ross sewed the first flag created under this resolution; many historians
view this story as a myth. The current 50-star flag is the 27th “edition” of the flag and the one
that has been in use the longest, since 1960. In 1818, Congress passed a law stating that a new
star be added for each new state; the 13 stripes would remain constant to represent the 13
colonies. (At the time this law was passed, the flag had 15 stripes; 2 stripes had been added to
represent the first two states added to the union – Vermont and Kentucky.)
Betsy would often tell her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends of the fateful day when
three members of a secret committee from the Continental Congress came to call upon her.
Those representatives, George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, asked her to sew
the first flag. This meeting occurred in her home some time late in May 1776. George
Washington was then the head of the Continental Army. Robert Morris, an owner of vast
amounts of land, was perhaps the wealthiest citizen in the Colonies. Colonel George Ross was a
respected Philadelphian and also the uncle of her late husband, John Ross.
Each specific grade level will focus on the GLE’s found the grade specific LCC. Appropriate
vocabulary will be covered.
Pre-Seminar Process Steps:
Prepare participants to participate in seminar discussion:
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Be sure participants are settled and seated where everyone can see each others’
face. Then relay…
A Paideia Seminar is a thoughtful discussion where we work with others to
understand important ideas.
The main purpose for discussion the Betsy Ross, 1777 is to better understand
democracy and history—to better understand what we think of these ideas as well
as how others view them.
During this discussion, we’re really going to practice looking at the person
speaking.
You do not need to raise your hands in order to speak; try to stay focused on the
main speaker and wait your turn to talk.
We’ll also practice building on what others say-- agree and disagree in a
courteous, thoughtful manner.
As the facilitator, my job is to ask challenging, open-ended questions. I will take
some notes to keep up with the talk turns and flow of ideas.
Now, let’s do a little self-assessment. Based on our other discussions, I’m going
to suggest that our group goal for today is TO LOOK AT THE PERSON
SPEAKING.
[Display the group goal for all to see.]
Now think about how you usually participate in our seminars. What would be a
good goal for you today? Maybe you’d like to choose from one of these:
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Use others’ names
Refer to the text
Build on others’ ideas
Keep an open mind
Ask an open-ended question
Please write your personal goal at the top of your copy of the text.
Seminar:
Opening Question:
What part of the picture itself first draws your attention? Why?
How is the most important person in this painting? Why?
Core Questions:
 The flag is a symbol of America, what American ideas or values do you think the flag
may represent and why?
 How would you describe the relationship between Betsy Ross and the men? (If
necessary direct attention to George Washington’s position.)
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Closing Question:
Based on our discussion who do you believe is the most important person in the picture?
Why? Did you change your mind? Why or why not?
Post-Seminar Process Steps:
Thank you for your focused and thoughtful participation in our seminar.
Take a few minutes to reflect on your relative success in meeting the personal process
goal you set prior to beginning the discussion. Please review the goal you set for yourself
and briefly reflect in writing to what extent you met the goal. In addition, note why you
think you performed as you did. (Pause for reflection.)
How did we do as a group? Let’s rate our seminar from 0-5, with 5 meaning perfect and 0
meaning we really need improvement. With a hand signal, how would you rate our
seminar for today?
Now, would someone say why you gave us a rating of — 3, 5, 0?
Our group goal was to LOOK AT THE PERSON SPEAKING. How did we do with that
specifically?
(Pause for discussion.)
Now would some volunteer to share your self-assessment and reflection….?
(Invite students to share how they did as individuals and help them identify an
appropriate goal for next seminar)
What should we work on together next seminar? As always, our goal is continuous
improvement: both as individual seminar participants and as citizens. Thanks again for
your participation.
Post-Seminar Content Steps:
Create a display of symbols—an object that represents something else—in your classroom. Some
symbols may be actual objects, such as the U.S. flag (if one is displayed in your room) or a
stuffed animal representing a local sports team. Other symbols may be pictures, including images
from the primary source set, a photo of your school mascot, etc. Write the word symbol on the
board and tell students that all of the items you have displayed are symbols. Talk through how
your school mascot represents your school; for example, you might say “Snortner the Dragon
represents Emerald School. It represents our history because it is named after the first principal
of the school. It represents our students because dragons are fierce and fun, just like our
students.” Students will add to the display by bringing in/creating symbols that represent things
about their own lives and write a resolution describing it.