CHALLENGING WORDS

ammunition
Colonials
Continental
disapproved
established
furniture
government
independence
Revolutionary
upholsterer

SUMMARY

Elizabeth Griscom, later known as Betsy Ross, was a Quaker in the mid 1700’s. She was very skillful and brave. She accomplished many things, but most important she designed the American flag.
--- Conversation Questions---
(1) / Tell me what this story was about.
(Answer) / Betsy Ross and the history of the American flag.
(Follow Up) / Have you ever thought about how the American flag came to be?
(2) / Assume you are Betsy, describe to me how you felt making musket balls for the war.
(Answer) / Any logical answer
(Follow Up) / Explain to me why her family disapproved of what she was doing.
(3) / If you were in the war against Britain, how would you feel about it, would you be scared?
(Answer) / Any logical answer
(Follow Up) / Can you name some other great wars?
(4) / Tell me about a time you made something and you got an award for it?
(Answer) / Any logical answer
(Follow Up) / Do you think Betsy Ross was proud that she made the first American flag?
(5) / Describe to me what Quakers are.
(Answer) / A religious group that lives in a peaceful, simple way.
(Follow Up) / Have you ever seen a box of Quaker oats?
(6) / Elizabeth Griscom’s family had how many children?
(Answer) / 17
(Follow Up) / How many brothers and sisters do you have?
(7) / Give me the reason why Betsy wanted the flag to be rectangular instead of a square.
(Answer) / So it would look better waving in the wind.
(Follow Up) / Most flags are what kind of shape.
(8) / The first American flag had how many stars?
(Answer) / 13
(Follow Up) / Tell me why it had 13 stars.
(9) / The Declaration of Independence was signed on what date?
(Answer) / July 4, 1776
(Follow Up) / Share with me some things you do for July 4.
(10) / Has the American flag changed since 1776?
(Answer) / Yes
(Follow Up) / Describe to me how it changed.
Activities
1. / Draw a picture of the first American flag. Then draw a picture of the American flag now.
2. / Pretend you are Betsy, write a journal entry about how you feel when you were asked to design your country’s flag.
3. / Make a 5 point star (follow directions in back of book). Paste in your opus.
4. / Create a timeline for Betsy Ross’ life.
Introduction
1.  Ask the child if they can imagine life in 1750 (that’s over 251 years ago). Discuss. Say, “This story today is about a woman during that time period who does something very, very important. Let’s read and see what it is.”
2.  Have a picture of today’s flag then a picture of the first flag. Ask the child what the differences are. Discuss the differences. Say, “Today we are going to read about how the flag’s history.”
3.  Show the child a picture of Betsy Ross or ask the child who Betsy Ross was. Tell the child who Betsy Ross was and what she is known for (the first American flag). Say, “Let’s read about Betsy Ross’ life and the history of the American flag.”

Book Title: Betsy Ross

Author: Alexandra Wallner / Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
ISBN: 0-439-07225-5 / # of Text Pages: 14 AR: 4.8 LEX: 810
Building Oral Vocabulary
5 / despite / 5 / widow / 6 / commander
Prediction Questions
2 / Do you think that she will win any awards?
6 / Do you think Betsey will make the flag?
11 / By joining the Society of Free Quakers, do you think her parents are happy?

This resource is provided by THE LEARNING CORPSS—Barren County Board of Education, an AmeriCorps project funded in part by the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service and the Corporation for National and Community Service.