Of the United States of America 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. Voices: Linda Kwasniewski’s first grade class 2002-2003 - Forest City Elementary School, Forest City, NC Image Source: Microsoft Office Clipart

The Pledge of Allegiance What are we saying when we say it?

I pledge allegiance… What is a pledge? * A pledge is a promise. Have you ever made a promise to someone? Why is it important to keep promises?

*To pledge allegiance means to promise to be loyal or true to someone or something. Do you have friends you are loyal to? How are you loyal to them? Source: Children in tulips - http://www.state.gov/kids/links/10058.htm

to the flag… *The flag is a symbol of our country. What is a symbol? A symbol is something that stands for or represents something else. The flag stands for our country. What other kinds of symbols can you think of?

These children are saying the pledge. *When we pledge allegiance to the flag, we are promising to be loyal and true to our country. These children are saying the pledge. What are they doing that is different from us? Are they still promising to be true to our country? New York, New York students pledging allegiance to the flag in public school eight in an Italian-American section. Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

of the United States of America... *United means joined together. All of our states are joined together to make one country. The people who live in our country are also united. Source: Microsoft Office Clipart

Are these children united? How are they joined together? Do we have to hold hands to be united? No. Being united just means we stick together. Can you think of some ways you and your family or you and your friends are united? Source: Microsoft Office Clipart

Are these children united? Could they be united? Why do you think as you do? Upper left: Child standing, facing front, possibly from the visit by Alan Lomax and Mary Elizabeth Barnicle to Andros Island in the Bahamas; Upper right: Girl in pantaloons standing by bench; Lower left: Girl standing; railway train in background; Lower right: Girl standing with crossed arms Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

and to the republic... What are the people in this picture doing? These people are voting. Why do people vote? *A republic is a country where people are free to vote and choose their leaders. Barnesville, Maryland. A citizen leaving the voting booth at the community hall where he has just cast his vote in the general election. Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

Source: Library of Congress – American Memory for which it stands… *The flag stands for our country and the freedom we have in our country. Old glory Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

One nation under God… We are all part of the same nation or country. We are one group of people. Source: Microsoft Office Clipart

Indivisible… *If something is indivisible, it cannot be divided into parts. Is this circle divided into parts? How many parts do you see? The circle is divided into 4 equal parts

Is this triangle divided into parts? Can the triangle be divided into parts? Yes, the triangle can be divided into parts. Is it divided into equal or unequal parts? The rectangle is divided into unequal parts.

Unlike the circle and the triangle, our country cannot be divided into parts at all. Even though we have 50 states, all 50 states are part of our country, the United States of America. Our country is indivisible because it cannot be divided. Each state is part of our whole country.

with liberty… Do you have any idea what liberty means? *Liberty means freedom. Can you think of any freedoms we have in our country?

How does this picture represent freedom in our country? First Presbyterian Church and manse Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

What are the people in this picture doing? Where do you think they might be? How does this represent freedom in our country? Four adults and six children, from Passaic, N.J., picket the White House following President Coolidge's refusal to listen to their complaints about wage cuts in the textile industry.

and justice... What do you think justice is? *Justice is fairness. Can you think of a time when you were treated fairly? What about a time when you were treated unfairly?

What kind of building do you think this is? This is a courthouse. What happens at a courthouse? How does a courthouse represent fairness in our country? Courthouse, Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska. Erected in 1890. Source: Library of Congress – American Memory

for all. What is different about the people in these two pictures? There is something very much alike about the people in these pictures and where they live. Can you guess what it is? Freedom and fairness, or liberty and justice, is for everyone who lives in our country. The words “for all” mean everyone - young people, old people, short people tall people. It means me, and it means you! Left: Children Beside School Bus Right: Citizens of Vale, Oregon take off their hats during the Pledge of Allegiance (radio program) on the Fourth of July. Source of Images: Library of Congress – American Memory

Review Use the words below to answer the questions. Pledge Liberty United Republic Justice Indivisible 1. Which word means promise? Pledge 2. Which word means joined together? United 3. Which word means a country where people choose their leaders? Republic 4. Which word means freedom? Liberty 5. Which word means cannot be divided into parts? Indivisible 6. Which word means fairness? Justice

Image Source: Microsoft Office Clipart Now that we have learned the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, you are going to tell what the pledge means to you. In your journal, write two complete sentences to tell what the Pledge of Allegiance means to you. Be sure to begin your sentences with capital letters and end with periods. Then draw a picture to show what you have written. Image Source: Microsoft Office Clipart

Images Source: Microsoft Office Clipart Click on the speaker to go to the Library of Congress and hear the “True to the flag march” - performed by the United States Marine Band Images Source: Microsoft Office Clipart