The American Flag has been a symbol of our nation since the adoption of the Flag Resolution in June 1777, being first hoisted in by the Continental Army at the Middlebrook encampment, with 13 stars and 13 stripes to represent the original 13 colonies.
By exploring the various ways people use the American flag through the Capture the Flag primary source album below, elementary and middle school students can learn about abstract concepts through a student-led inquiry-driven classroom activity.
Resources:
Procedure:
- Create student groups of 3-4
- Pass out a different image from the album to each group
- Ask them to perform a primary source analysis using Observe, Reflect, Question
- Share findings with the whole class
- Ask them to choose from a list of abstract concepts that you want them to learn about, for example, liberty, freedom, endurance, democracy, or patriotism.
- Using the Four Fold graphic organizer, ask them to place the concept they choose in the middle and go through the steps provided.
- For the last step (Illustrate), either have them use the primary source image you provided and/or have them illustrate it individually.
As an assessment, ask them to write a paragraph stating their findings, defining their concept, and reflecting on the thought process.
