Grade Level: 5

A. Perspective: Historical

Benchmark: Recount the lives and characters of a variety of individuals ftom the past representing their local community, the state of Michigan, and other parts of the United States.

B. Social Studies Content to be Covered: Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. This activity involves visiting the Betsy Ross Home Page. This site on the World Wide Web will help students learn more about the history of individuals in the past such as presidents and authority figures. Students can take a tour of Betsy Ross' house, where she rented it between the years of 1773 and 1786. The house was built about 1740 and consists of 2-1/2 floors and nine rooms. Betsy and her husband, John Ross, lived here and ran their upholstery business out of the house as well. Students will also learn more about various American flags.

Skill Objectives: Students will:

1. list several links presented at the site, and describe information found at these links.

2. present an analysis about the information presented at the site.

3. answer two higher level thinking questions.

Activies:

2. Scroll down and read the information about Betsy Ross. Under that information, you will see a small flag. Click on the flag.

3. Look at the flags on this page. Answer this question.

• In what ways do the flags on this page look alike?
• Answer: They all have red strips

4. Click the on the button next to the flag named "Grand Union ." Read the information at this site.

5. Click back to the flag page. Click the on the button next to the flag named "Bennington". Read the information on this page.

6. Answer these question.

• In what ways are the purposes of the Bennington and the Grand Union alike?
• Answer: These flags were made to represent a significant event during the colonial period.
• In what ways were these flags different?
• Answer: The Grand Union was designed in 1775. The Bennington flag was made in 1776.

8. Look at the Grand Union flag. What would you add to it to more easily remember its purpose?

• Answer: Add the name of the year it was made, 1775, or a sign for independence might be added.