The U.S. Flag

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Several different images are used to symbolize the United States and the ideals it stands for.

A symbol is an image or object that stands for or represents something. The bald eagle symbolizes American freedom seen in money, and the Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom in the heart of New York City.

Of the symbols used to represent the United States, the most famous is the American flag.

• Did you know everything on the American flag represents something?

Start with the stars. Count how many stars are on the flag.

You should have counted 50 stars on the flag.

• Why do you think there are 50 stars?

There are 50 states in the United States. There is one star on the flag for each state.

• How do you think the flag would change if a new state were added to the United States?

Next, count the stripes.

• How many stripes are on the flag?

You should have counted 13 stripes.

The United States was once part of Great Britain. When they declared independence from Great Britain in 1776, 13 colonies comprised the United States. Each stripe represents one of the original U.S. colonies.

There are three colors on the flag.

• Which three colors are on the American flag?

The American flag is colored red, white, and blue. Each of these colors stands for something different.

Red stands for valor.

Valor means having courage in the face of danger. Valor describes the United States because when it declared independence from Great Britain, it started a war against one of the biggest nations in the world. It was unlikely that the Americans would win the war against Great Britain, but they did.

Valor is a characteristic the United States has displayed throughout the years as it opposed nations that wanted to destroy the right for all people to be free.

White stands for liberty.

Liberty means freedom. Freedom is one of the most important characteristics of the United States because Americans can say and do anything that is not against the law without getting into trouble. Many people around the world do not have this freedom.

Blue stands for justice.

Justice means being fair and reasonable. In the United States, everyone is treated fairly and given the same rights.

Think about the different characteristics represented by the colors on the U.S. flag: courage, liberty, and justice.

• Which do you think is most important? Why?

As you watch the video below on the history of the U.S. flag history, listen for the answers to these questions. Raise your hand when you hear each one!

• Who made the first flag?
• Why did George Washington think a national flag was needed?
• How has the flag changed since 1776?

The U.S. flag is an important part of the history of the United States.

It is also the symbol most commonly associated with the United States.

• What does the American flag symbolize?

Move to the Got It? section to use what you have learned to put together a puzzle of the American flag.