The Pledge of Allegiance: Introducing Primary Sources

by Kathryn Clay

Overview

The Pledge of Allegiance was first written more than two hundred years ago to celebrate Columbus Day. Since then, it has grown into a treasured American symbol. Using primary sources, young readers hear the story behind the Pledge of Allegiance from the people who were there. Engaging text, colorful photos, sidebars and a variety of primary sources introduce readers to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781491482278
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2016
Series:	Introducing Primary Sources Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.75(w) x 8.75(h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile:	720L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Kathryn Clay has written more than 40 nonfiction children’s books about everything from dancing to dinosaurs. She also teaches college writing courses. She has a Master’s of Arts in Literature from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Kathryn lives in southern Minnesota with her husband and daughter.

Table of Contents

Primary Sources 4

Writing the Pledge 6

A Symbol of Respect and Loyalty 8

A morning Tradition 10

Changing the Pledge 14

The Flag Code 18

A Day in Court 22

Who Still Says the Pledge? 24

Meaning of the Pledge 26

Timeline 28

Glossary 30

Read More 31

Internet Sites 31

Critical Thinking Using the Common Core 32

Index 32

Interviews

Primary sources on each spread, including photographs, newspaper articles, and other media, engaging, carefully leveled text, Smithsonian branding, graphic organizers in each title, critical thinking questions using the common core

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2016
K-Gr 2—This series does a crackerjack job of exploring the back stories of some of America's most beloved documents and monuments. Most kids know the Pledge of Allegiance by heart, but here they learn that originally the pledge was published in a children's magazine in order to honor Columbus Day. Similarly, most kids recognize the Statue of Liberty by sight, but here they discover how the statue's creator, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, raised the money to build it. With one concise paragraph and a few illustrations per page, these titles are ideally suited for early fluent readers. Illustrations consist of paintings and photographs, all of which enrich the text. For example, in Star-Spangled Banner, one 1873 photo shows a soldier standing in front of the threadbare flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814. By focusing on the passage of time, the author draws readers' attention to the concept that the flag has been honored and appreciated throughout the years. VERDICT While not a must-purchase, this series does offer a colorful, engaging presentation.

School Library Journal

Top 10 Series Nonfiction.  Readers receive two lessons in one: the history of an iconic symbol of the U.S. (the flag, Statue of Liberty, etc.) and instruction on how to learn through primary sources. The use of archival images and documents reinforces the series’ goals admirably.

Booklist