"An exploration of the origins and often controversial history of the Pledge of Allegiance"--Provided by publisher.

Introduces the Pledge of Allegiance, the man who wrote it, how it has changed since it was written, and why some people object to some of its words.

Explains the Pledge of Allegiance in a way kids can understand, with the primary-source document side by side with the explanation. Also includes context and Why Should You Care? feature.

Taking on the Pledge of Allegiance explores the landmark lawsuit filed by avowed atheist Michael Newdow against the Elk Grove Unified School District in California, in which he claimed the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance amounted to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. Newdow's original suit was ignored by the public and the news media until June 26, 2002, when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional. This decision touched off a firestorm of negative reaction, both from politicians and from the public. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned the ruling on Flag Day 2004. This book contains interviews with many of the parties involved, including Newdow and journalists who covered the case. Ronald Bishop examines how the news media marginalized Newdow after the Ninth Circuit's ruling—acting as a "guard dog" for the government and for the ideas supposedly at the ideological heart of America—by framing the decision as an aberration, a radical act by a hopelessly liberal federal circuit court. Bishop concludes that journalists relegated Newdow to a rhetorical "protest zone"—he was heard, but from a safe distance.

This book looks at the reasons commonly offered in defense of 'under God' and shows why no fair and just person of any religion would accept it. It does so by looking at a hypothetical country where its citizens have adopted a pledge of allegiance to 'one white nation' - because it was founded by white people. Through this story, we meet Shawn Henry. He is a high school junior who will show us how this modification to the Pledge suggests that failure to support 'one white nation' is made comparable to failure to support a nation 'with liberty and justice for all'. In doing so, it creates a climate of hostility that denigrates and degrades the contributions of good citizens. It then looks at the major arguments in defense of the pledge, and shows how no fair and just person could support it.

Why do we place our hand on our heart when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? Who wrote the original pledge? How has it changed over the years? Readers will learn the history and meaning behind these familiar words through easy-to-follow text and color photos. A follow-up activity encourages readers to research pledges and flags from around the world.

This reader's theater script builds fluency through oral reading. The creative script captures students' interest, so they will want to practice and perform. Included is a fluency lesson and approximate reading levels for the script roles.