As an introduction to the topic, ask second graders to guess how old the Pledge of Allegiance is and why it was written. After several students respond, tell students its history. Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge in the early 1890s for the National Public Schools Celebration as part of a Columbus Day commemoration. Explain that Bellamy was an author and minister. Instruct the class to attempt to calculate how many years ago Bellamy wrote the pledge. Assist the class in calculating the years. Show students a picture of Bellamy, easily located in books or online, and instruct them to draw a picture of him writing the Pledge. Under the picture, have students write a couple of sentences about the author and reason the Pledge was written.
As a class, discuss the meaning of the words to the Pledge with second graders, asking them to put the lines into their own words. Guide them to realize that the Pledge is about loyalty and being true to the United States. Ask second graders what other things in life are worth a pledge of loyalty and truth. Create a class chart of the students' answers. Instruct students to write a personal pledge of allegiance to the things in life such as family and friends that they feel are worthy of a promise of loyalty. Provide kids with the words to the Pledge of Allegiance as they work so that they have a model.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag honors the United States and its flag. Each of the colors and symbols has meaning. For example the red color stands for valor and zeal. Go over these meanings with second graders. As an independent interpretation of what a flag may stand for, direct students to think of symbols and colors that are meaningful to them that might be appropriate on a flag. Instruct students to create a personal flag and write about the meaning of its colors and designs.
To provide students with an opportunity to interpret the flag and its meaning artistically, provide students with red, white and blue tissue paper. Direct them to tear up the paper into small pieces. Give students a large rectangle of white paper and instruct them to create the U.S. flag as a collage gluing the tissue paper on the construction paper. After the collage dries, have students write words that the pledge and flag stand for on the back of the collage.