The Saga Continues...
When I first started this article I had no idea there was so much history about the flag. It was fascinating doing research and finding a lot of new trivia that I didn't know!
I ended up breaking down this article into 4 parts and spending an entire week making the separate sections. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
I think you can use this information for a variety of studies in your classroom, whether it's for the end of the year as you're winding down or at the start of the school year and just learning how to say The Pledge of Allegiance.
I think it's important for young people to know about this important symbol of our country.
The Flag Changes:
The flag changed again after Vermont and Kentucky were admitted to the Union in 1791 and 1792.
Two more stars and two more stripes were added in 1795. This 15-star, 15-stripe flag was known as the “star-spangled banner” that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that later became the U.S. national anthem.
The most interesting bit of trivia I discovered was that a high school student, Robert Heft, actually designed our current flag as a school project! Ironically he got a B- for his efforts because it "lacked originality."His teacher said he would give him a better grade if Congress would choose his design. Robert took it as a challenge and sent his handmade flag to Rep. Walter Moeller. The rest is history!
Robert's flag is still flying and the only flag in America's history to have flown over the White House under five administrations. Even tho’ Heft has been offered $350,000 for the flag he sewed many years ago, he’s not parting with it. Check it out by clicking on the link above.
For a time line showing the different flags click on the link. Time line of US flags 1 For another interesting time line click on the second link. Time line of US flags 2
If you'd like to know when each state joined the union click on the link for a cool US map showing the statehood of each one, as well as how our flag looked at the time. This goes from 1777 to 1960 when the last state of Hawaii was added. Statehood Map & Flags
The multiple flag picture above, is an oil painting of the US historical flags. It is courtesy of the Wikimedia Commons files. Click on the link to view their history of the flag article.
Flag Videos:
I also found a YouTube video showing the 28 flags that have been officially used by the USA, with The Star Spangled Banner playing as background music.
It's a nice video to show as a culmination of this quick history of our flag and great for SmartBoards. Click on the link.
There's also a nice YouTube video of our current flag flying in a variety of photographs.
For a bit of history of our flag that gives credit to Hopkinson click on this link.
An American Minute describes what the colors of our flag mean. I didn't know that the colors were symbolic, so I checked. This is also debated. It seems controversy arose because of an excerpt misconstrued about the Seal of the United States. The description is about the seal's colors, NOT our flags. Click on the link.
Robin Williams As The Flag is an older video that I enjoyed. Short and with his usual satirical humor, but then I'm a fan of Robin.
Flag Folding:
Folding a flag is very important. I had seen this ceremony done several times in my life, none more poignant than at my dad's funeral.
He was in the army and it was important for my mom that he had the traditional rifle salute as well as the flag folding ceremony. It was very beautiful.
Click on the link to view/print how this is done, and then demonstrate it to your students. They will be amazed. Then take it a step farther, print copies of my flag, and let them try their hand at folding a small paper flag. Click on the link to view/print small flag. Use thin, inexpensive paper to print the flag so that it won't be hard to fold, as students need to glue a flag to both sides. In order to tuck in the end I had to fold the corner of my paper. Directions of how to fold a real flag.
Quick video of how to properly fold the flag.
Interesting YouTube video of a 3rd grade teacher's invention to help students learn how to fold the flag this is good except that the student did not tuck it in correctly when he was done.
Flag Games:
Click on the link to play a fun game called “Patriotic Pairs”. There are 3 levels. While at this Veterans’ Affairs K-5th site, try your hand at several other games and activities. Try and beat my score of 198 playing “Beat the Blocks”.
Careful! This could be addicting! I also liked Creative Coloring, and if you like, you can make a medal at this site as well.
Lil Fingers has a fun Flags & Symbols Memory Match game. Click on the link to play.
The Kids for our troops site offers some rules of etiquette for our flag. More in-depth etiquette can be found at American Family Traditions.
I had no idea there were so many rules. Did you know that our flag can't be dipped to show honor to any person like other flags can, nor can it be buried with a person.
The Traveling Flag:
Our flag has gone on many adventures, from the North Pole to the moon! To find out about its interesting travels click on the link. Robert Peary actually left pieces of the flag along the way to the North Pole!
Now that you've read up on the flag, take a FLAG QUIZ to see how much you know! Click on the link to see how brilliant you are.
I hope you found this article interesting. I sure enjoyed learning new things about our flag!
I wish you a Happy Flag Day, and as many of our presidents have been fond of saying when they conclude ...
"God Bless You, and God Bless America!"
Be sure and read the next article about The Pledge Of Allegiance for more activities for Flag Day...
