Cynthia Fuller
CI 360 R 4-6:20 pm
Lesson Plan
I. Title of Lesson: Presidents’ Day
Grade Level: Kindergarten
II. Rationale: Students must know why the American Flag has 50 stars and 13 stripes and who
created it, why we celebrate President’s Day and patriotic songs to be patriotic citizens who
are aware of their country’s pride.
III. Essential/ Discussion Questions: Why does the American Flag have 50 stars and 13
stripes?
Who created the American Flag?
Why do you think our country needed a flag?
What does the flag represent to you?
Why do we celebrate Presidents’ Day?
Who were some of America’s presidents? Discuss the presidents students name.
Who is our president now?
What does the president do?
Why do we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
What does the Pledge of Allegiance stand for/mean?
What is the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” about?
What does it mean to be patriotic?
How can you be a patriotic citizen?
IV. Objectives: Students will learn about the American Flag and Betsy Ross.
Students will learn about Presidents’ Day and some American presidents.
Students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Students will sing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan.
Students will learn about patriotism.
CSO(s): SS.O.K.01.04 - be given the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, sing
patriotic songs and celebrate national holidays, and discuss their significance.
V. Procedure: *This lesson should be done on Presidents’ Day*
A. Lesson Introduction: Have a flag or a colored, large picture of a flag hanging flat on
the whiteboard for the class to see. Read the book Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner. Allow
students to ask questions and discuss during and after the story. Essential/discussion questions
pertaining to the American Flag and Betsy Ross should be asked to the students after the story
has been read. After discussion, distribute a coloring page of the American Flag to each child.
While they are coloring, have a children’s version of the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by
George M. Cohan playing in the background. The student’s coloring sheets should be hung in the
classroom or on a bulletin board for display.
B. Lesson Development:
1. Explore: Read the book Presidents’ Day by Anne Rockwell. Allow students to
ask questions and discuss topics during and after the story. The teacher should be prepared to
answer questions about the presidents discussed in the book. Essential/discussion questions
pertaining to the presidents and Presidents’ Day should be asked to the students after the story
has been read After discussion, tell students they are going to have a Presidents’ Day parade. The
students should then be told that they will have to learn the Pledge of Allegiance and the song
“You’re a Grand Old Flag” to march in a Presidents’ Day parade.
2. Explain: The class will recite the pledge learning via rote. The teacher should say a
line of the Pledge of Allegiance, have the class repeat the line, then say the line with the class.
Once every line has been said, the whole class should say the pledge together. Then the class
should be broken into two or three groups and each group should say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Then the whole class should say the pledge altogether. The teacher should be prepared to answer
questions brought up by children about meanings of words, why we place our right hand over
our heart, etc. Essential/discussion questions pertaining to the Pledge of Allegiance should be
asked to the students after they have learned the pledge.
Then the class will learn the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan via
rote. The teacher should say a line of the song, have the class repeat the line, then say the line
with the class. Once every line has been said, the whole class should sing along to the recording
three times. Essential/discussion questions pertaining to “You’re a Grand Old Flag” should be
asked to the students after they have learned the song.
3. Elaborate: Students will be able to use their knowledge of the American Flag, Betsy
Ross, Presidents’ Day, different presidents, the Pledge of Allegiance and patriotic songs to
explain what patriotism is, why it is important and how they can be patriotic in their every day
lives.
C. Lesson Summary: Students will have a Presidents’ Day parade. They will start by
saying the pledge. Then they will march in a single file line around their classroom or
playground singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” while holding pictures of presidents and the
American Flag.
D. Lesson Contingency: If there is extra time, students will draw a picture of
themselves in the parade. These drawings should be hung in the classroom or on the bulletin
board with their American Flag coloring sheets.
VI. Reflection and revision: This is to be filled in during and after the lesson. Things that the
children really enjoyed and worked for the class/topic should be mentioned along with things
that should be excluded/changed for the next time this lesson is used.
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,
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with liberty and justice for all.
“You’re a Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan
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
under 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.
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