Mini-Lesson - for 4/25/2016

Teacher introduction discuss the following:

1. Why we are saying the Pledge now?
a. Waukee school board is asking us to do this, and we are lucky to live in
such a fortunate country and time.
b. No student is required to say the Pledge of Allegiance during this time. We
will say the pledge over the intercom each Monday during advisory for the
remainder of the school year. Those who wish to participate can, those
who dont wish to participate do not have to.

2. Display the Pledge - LINK

3. What is the history of the Pledge?:

4. Ask guiding questions for students to answer individually then share with
someone in the class:
i. Why is the Pledge Important?
ii. Is there a benefit from saying the Pledge?
iii. What groups are we representing when we are saying the Pledge?
iv. What does saying the Pledge mean to you personally?

5. Class Creation: each student will be given a piece of computer paper and asked
to make a poster on printer paper, the poster should represent the students
feelings and thoughts answering the question Why is the pledge important? Or
What does the pledge mean?. Then encourage students to tweet their creations
with the #Waukthetalk and #KeePledge. Final products will be displayed around
the school so everyone can feel like they worked together and show what the
pledge means to WHS.

6. Mr. Johnson will come over the intercom the last three minutes of advisory and
we will say the Pledge as a whole school.
Additional Guiding Questions, for assistance during lesson, including thoughts,
quotes from WHS students:

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister
Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's
Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be
used by citizens in any country. In its original form it read:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one
nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Why is the Pledge Important?

WHS Students:
Represents America as a place of freedom, Shows pride and respect for the US,
Our gratitude for living in a nation like the US,
Respect for the United States of America - the country has given us a lot.

Is there a benefit from saying the Pledge?

WHS Students:
Bring the nation together especially during times of war or trouble, promote
nationalism

What groups are we representing when we are saying the Pledge? (Not just the
government)
- Veterans
- US Citizens
- Fallen soldiers

When is the Pledge recited?

Congressional sessions open with the recital of the Pledge, as do many
government meetings at local levels, and meetings held by many private
organizations. It is also commonly recited in school at the beginning of every
school day, although the Supreme Court has ruled in West Virginia State Board
of Education v. Barnette that students cannot be compelled to recite the Pledge,
nor can they be punished for not doing so.

What does saying the Pledge mean to you personally?

Quick Facts from Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

Lesson Ideas:
- Present using a powerpoint with videos on personal thoughts on the pledge,
include history and video with personal opinion of interviewed students.
- Get all of the 1st block US History classes together and make a video answering
the above questions with some sort of narrative.
- Video
- Powerpoint
- Having the teacher present this in advisory and then get students opinions
- Assembly where students hear the speech altogether
- Something interactive, maybe a poster to be made in each advisory answering
the question why is the pledge important? Or what does the pledge mean? after
you go through the questions above, and then displayed around the school so
everyone can feel like they worked together and show what the pledge means to
WHS