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Inaugural Pennant

Subjects

• Arts & Humanities

Grades

• 3-5
• 6-8

Brief Description

Students study pennants designed for previous inaugurations and design souvenir pennants for the 2009 inauguration.

Objectives

Students define the words pennant and souvenir. Students design souvenir pennants for the presidential inauguration.

Keywords

inauguration, pennant, souvenir, president

Materials Needed

• 9- by 12-inch construction paper of various colors
• markers or crayons
• pencils
• glue or paste
• scissors
• cardboard or stiff tag board cut into 1- by 12-inch strips
• student-selected materials to decorate the pennant
• computer(s) with Internet access (optional) or printouts from The American Presidency: The Campaign Trail
• pictures of the new president from print or online sources

Lesson Plan

Before the lesson: Make triangular pennant patterns, one for each student. Make the patterns 9 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches. Cut 1- by 12-inch strips of cardboard or stiff tag board, one for each student. Save pictures of the new president from print or online sources.
Variation for older students: Let students make the pennant patterns.

• Define and discuss the words pennant and souvenir. Ask students whether they have any souvenir pennants for sports teams. Ask what designs or patterns are on the pennants.
• Tell students that pennants are often given as souvenirs of important events, such as a presidential inauguration.
• Have students study examples of inaugural pennants in history from The American Presidency: The Campaign Trail. If Internet access is not available to everyone, print the page from the site. Discuss what the inaugural pennants show.
• Tell students: "Imagine that you have been asked to create a pennant for the 2009 inauguration. What would you show on your pennant design?" Discuss students' responses.
• Display one or more pictures of the new president. Discuss what each picture shows.
• Distribute the pennant patterns, strips, and art materials to students. Have students create inaugural pennants. Tell students to refer to the pictures on display for visual reference if they choose to include a picture of the president on their pennants.
• When students have finished, use the following steps to show students how to attach the cardboard or tag board "stick" to the pennant.

  Turn the pennant over to the blank side.
  Put a small amount of glue or paste along the edge of the short side of the pennant.
  Carefully press the "stick" onto the glue. Wipe away any extra glue.
  Let the pennant dry thoroughly before holding it or putting it on display.

Variation: Use thin wooden dowel sticks instead of cardboard or tag board strips. Have students explain their pennant designs.

Assessment

Evaluate students' participation and pennant designs.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Lois Lewis