I+Pledge+Allegiance+Reinforcing+Activity

Ask students if they, their parents, or their grandparents were born somewhere besides the United States. Discuss the different countries children name, and ask them to tell the class something about that language/culture. If students are hesitant to share (or, if nobody has anything to share), I will share about how my grandparents were born in Puerto Rico (although this is technically a part of the United States, they have many of their own laws and customs—including their own flag and language). Hopefully this will inspire students to share their own stories, or it will expose them to a different nationality.
 * Activity: **

Ask students why they believe someone may want to become a citizen of the United States. Accept all answers, and open a discussion with students about what they think it means to be a United States citizen. Send a letter home with the students explaining to their parents that we are discussing different nationalities in our classrooms. Ask parents to help their students learn about their backgrounds and nationalities. Have students draw their home country—or countries—flag(s). Children can also write, draw, or somehow represent other traditions, customs, clothing, food, etc. that are important to their home country. If they’re willing and able, they could even bring in a sample dish from their home country (barring any food allergies, etc. and definitely not a requirement!).

The next day, have students share what they learned about their home country. Help and guide students to compare the home countries seen within the classroom (i.e. Mexico and Columbia both speak predominately Spanish, etc.). Hang the drawings of the different flags of the students’ home countries up around the room, and leave the idea of different nationalities open for discussion throughout the year.

I would also consider using this book to teach a government strand or a geography strand.
 * Ohio Academic Social Studies Strands: **


 * Tags: **Pat Mora, citizenship, citizen test, pledge of allegiance, immigration, United States of America, Mexico, heritage