1. The Pledge of Allegiance
What is it?
What does it mean?
Why do we say it?

2. The Pledge I pledge allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Note that – “one nation under God” is one phrase and not two – there is not a comma after nation

3. What does it mean? “I pledge allegiance to the flag”
To pledge = to make a promise
To have allegiance = to support or be loyal (be a friend)
Read the quote with the definition substituted into the statement to help make more sense of it

4. What does it mean?
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America”
All 50 States are together or a united part
of North America
We all live by the same rules, like a family.

5. What does it mean?
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands”
Republic = a government of representatives elected by the people.
(People are free to make choices; they get to vote; people are allowed to be different and to disagree.)

6. What does it mean?
“…and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God”
God means different things to different people. Some people think about God as Christians, some people think about God as Jews, some as Muslims, some as Buddhists.
Every way to think about God is O.K. in our country. There isn’t just one way.
If students understand this statement they will be able to make educated decisions about whether they want to stand or not stand – for those that opt to participating in saying the pledge.

7. What does it mean? “…one nation under God, indivisible…”
Indivisible = something that cannot be divided

8. For all = everybody, everywhere
What does it mean?
“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.”
Liberty = freedom Justice = fairness
For all = everybody, everywhere

9. Why do we say it? To re-affirm To reflect To remember
To instill patriotism

10. Hoyt Pledge Expectations
To participate:
Stand
Place your right hand over your heart.
Face the American flag in your classroom.
Recite the pledge aloud.
You should have a poster of the words in your room

11. Now that you know the facts, you are able to make an educated decision.
This statement is for those who may reserve the right to not stand for the pledge.