The Flag and Pledge
📖 Learn
The American flag is a very special symbol of the United States. It represents our country and the people who live here. Let's learn about our flag and the Pledge of Allegiance!
The American Flag
The American flag has three colors: red, white, and blue. It has 50 stars and 13 stripes. The flag is also called the "Stars and Stripes" or "Old Glory."
Parts of the Flag
- 50 Stars: One star for each state in our country today
- 13 Stripes: Red and white stripes for the first 13 states (colonies)
- Red: Stands for courage and bravery
- White: Stands for purity and goodness
- Blue: Stands for justice and freedom
The Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise to be loyal to our country. Many people say the Pledge at school, at special events, and at government meetings.
"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."
💡 Examples
Let's learn more about the flag and how we show respect for it.
Example 1: Counting the Stars
Question: How many stars are on the American flag?
Answer: There are 50 stars on the flag. Each star stands for one of the 50 states in our country.
Example 2: Counting the Stripes
Question: How many stripes are on the flag?
Answer: There are 13 stripes - 7 red and 6 white. They remind us of the first 13 colonies that became the United States.
Example 3: Showing Respect
When saying the Pledge of Allegiance:
- Stand up straight
- Face the flag
- Put your right hand over your heart
- Say the words clearly
Example 4: Where We See the Flag
You can see the American flag in many places:
- Outside schools and government buildings
- At sporting events
- On police and fire stations
- On holidays like the Fourth of July
Example 5: Flag Rules
We treat the flag with respect:
- The flag should never touch the ground
- A worn or torn flag should be replaced
- The flag is raised in the morning and lowered at night
✏️ Practice
Answer these questions about the flag and the Pledge.
Problem 1
What are the three colors on the American flag?
Show Answer
Red, white, and blue.
Problem 2
How many stars are on the American flag?
Show Answer
There are 50 stars on the flag.
Problem 3
What do the 50 stars represent?
Show Answer
The 50 stars represent the 50 states in the United States.
Problem 4
How many stripes are on the flag?
Show Answer
There are 13 stripes on the flag.
Problem 5
What do the 13 stripes represent?
Show Answer
The 13 stripes represent the first 13 colonies that became the United States.
Problem 6
What is the Pledge of Allegiance?
Show Answer
The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise to be loyal to our country.
Problem 7
Where do you put your hand when saying the Pledge?
Show Answer
You put your right hand over your heart.
Problem 8
What are two nicknames for the American flag?
Show Answer
"Stars and Stripes" and "Old Glory"
Problem 9
What does the color red stand for on our flag?
Show Answer
Red stands for courage and bravery.
Problem 10
Name two places where you might see the American flag.
Show Answer
Answers may include: schools, government buildings, fire stations, police stations, sporting events, on holidays.
✅ Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see what you learned.
Question 1
Why is the American flag important?
Show Answer
The flag is important because it represents our country and all the people who live here. It reminds us of our history and what we believe in.
Question 2
How do we show respect when the Pledge is being said?
Show Answer
We stand up straight, face the flag, put our right hand over our heart, and say the words clearly.
Question 3
If a new state joined the United States, what would happen to the flag?
Show Answer
A new star would be added to the flag. We would then have 51 stars.
Question 4
What does the word "allegiance" in the Pledge mean?
Show Answer
Allegiance means being loyal to and supporting something. When we pledge allegiance, we promise to be loyal to our country.
🚀 Next Steps
- Practice saying the Pledge of Allegiance with your class or family
- Count the stars and stripes the next time you see a flag
- Draw and color your own American flag
- Continue to the next lesson: National Symbols