INQUIRY PROJECT #1

The Pledge of Allegiance

I Pledge Allegiance to the flagof the United States of America

and to the Republicfor which it stands,

one Nation under God,indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

OVERVIEW OF TOPICI chose the Pledge of Allegiance as my Inquiry Project because it is something I stated everyday in school when I was growing up. During my years of schooling, no teacher ever explained to me why I had to say it or what the importance was. Through researching information about the Pledge of Allegiance I hope to develop a more meaningful connection to the topic.

QUESTIONS

• Why do we have the Pledge of Allegiance?

• How did the Pledge of Allegiance originate?

• Who is the creator of the Pledge of Allegiance?

• What are some interesting facts about the Pledge of Allegiance?

Connections with Standards

1st Grade HISTORY Standard: 1.1.3 – Identify American songs and symbols and discuss their origins.

1st Grade CIVICS & GOVERNMENT Standard: 1.2.6 – Know the Pledge of Allegiance and understand that it is a promise to be loyal to the United States.

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance is an oath of loyalty to the flag and to the republic of the United States of America. The Pledge is sworn by children in some public schools in response to state laws requiring the Pledge to be offered. All Congressional sessions, governmental meetings and some sporting events are opened up with the swearing of the Pledge. According to custom, civilians reciting the pledge of allegiance should stand at attention or with their right hand over their heart. Men should remove their hats. Armed services personnel in uniform face the flag and give the military salute.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

Creator• The idea for the pledge came from Francis Bellamy, a former Baptist minister and one of the editors of The Youth's Companion, a popular children’s magazine.

• The original pledge, written by Bellamy, was first published on September 8, 1892, in The Youth's Companion, a weekly magazine then published in Boston.

• Schoolchildren across the country recited the pledge for the first time on October 21, 1892, as part of official Columbus Day observances.

• Bellamy was chairman of a subcommittee of the National Education Association and developed a flag-raising ceremony and flag salute to accompany the Pledge.

Taken from http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761554245/Pledge_of_Allegiance.html

Bellamy’s original version of the Pledge was, "I pledge allegiance to my flag

and to the Republic for which it stands – one nation indivisible –

with liberty and justice for all.“

The pledge was modified by the U.S. congress in 1954 by adding the words “under God” and in effect turning it into an unconstitutional public prayer.

Picture of original Pledge

Taken from: http://surge.ods.org/idle_politics/pledgehistory.htm

Origins

Interesting Facts• The United States Senate and the House of Representatives both open their daily sessions with the Pledge of Allegiance.

• The courts have established that school districts may not punish children who choose not to participate in the pledge.

• Bellamy was born in 1855 and died in 1931

• James Upman was the first promoter of the Pledge.

Taken from: All of the websites on the resource page

Expressive Art Activities

Children will make up their own country.• They will create their own country name. • They will create their own country Flag.• They will also create their own country Pledge.• Children are aloud to be as creative as they would like.• They will present their country’s flag and pledge to the class and explain the importance of each.

RESOURCES•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

•http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761554245/Pledge_of_Allegiance.html

•http://surge.ods.org/idle_politics/pledgehistory.htm

•http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/8616/fourthofjuly/pledge.html

• http://restorethepledge.org/

• http://www.historyofthepledge.com/pledge.html