Be True To The Red White And Blue

A big part of going back to school is teaching a variety of routines.

One of the things that my Y5’s were learning for the first time was The Pledge Of Allegiance.

Like many schools through out the US, we started our day with announcements.

Our principal’s voice would boom over the PA system and lead us in the Pledge.

My Y5’s were doing a wonderful job with memorization, but when I asked my little ones what they were saying, they were clueless, or had a very different interpretation of what some of the words meant.

For example, many of them thought indivisible meant being invisible.

I told them that it was important to understand what they were pledging, and asked them if they wanted to know what the words really meant?

Their curiosity was peaked and most of them raised their hands in agreement.

I designed My Pledge Definition Dictionary with kid-friendly synonyms they could understand.

As long as teachers are required to increase students’ vocabularies, why not start with these very important words!

This packet also includes a certificate of praise as well as a copy of The Pledge of Allegiance for students to practice tracing, as a means of memorization, so that they become familiar with the words.

Click on the link to view/download My Pledge Of Allegiance Definition Dictionary Packet

I feel that knowing about our flag is very important.

The Easy Reader booklet My Flag is a wonderful way to learn important facts about the flag, as students trace and then write key words, cutting and gluing matching pictures to the appropriate sentences.

The booklet can be used as an introduction to The Pledge of Allegiance or a review and has 3 different endings, which makes it very versatile.

Click on the link to view/download My Flag.

The 49-page Flag Activities Packet, covers the history of our flag, information about the flag, and includes links, articles, art projects, skill sheets and writing activities.

It’s a wonderful resource for something patriotic to do with your students.

One of my students' favorite activities was making their own personal flag.  These are a great way to learn about your new students and make a terrific back to school bulletin board too.

Click on the link to view download the Flag Activities Packet.

Finally, the I’m Proud To Be An American Writing Prompt fits well at the beginning of the year when you’re teaching the Pledge, or looking for an activity for Constitution Day.

Use students’ finished pages as an easy bulletin board, or collate them into a class book.

Click on the link to view/download Proud to be an American Writing Prompt

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you can also stop by tomorrow for more back to school ideas.

Do you have one to share?  I’d enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com or take a moment and post a comment here.

Feel free to PIN anything that you think others might find helpful.

“I find that a great part of the information I have acquired was by looking up something and finding something else on the way.” –Franklin P. Adams

Remembering To Be True To The Red White And Blue

Are you looking for an appropriate activity to plug into your lessons for the Friday before Memorial Day?

The My Flag booklet is perfect for your Daily 5 or a whole group reading/writing activity.

Students TRACE and then WRITE key words; learn important facts about the flag as they cut and glue matching pictures to the appropriate sentences.

Numbers that are associated with the flag are also reviewed and practiced.

There are 3 endings to the booklet, which allows you to make it appropriate for a variety of patriotic holidays including Memorial Day.

I’ve also included:

• 36 word-wall word flashcards, that you can use as such, or have students make into Itty Bitty booklets.
• 2 certificates of praise.
• 2 different graphing extensions
• An achievement poster
• A flag coloring page and
• 12 skill sheets

Click on the link to view/download My Flag booklet/packet

Also helpful, is the Flag Activities Packet, which covers the history of our flag, information about the flag, and includes links, articles, art projects, worksheets and writing activities, perfect for a patriotic-themed activity for the Friday before Memorial Day.

Click on the link to view/download Flag Activities Packet

Whatever you’re planning, I hope you have some extra time for yourself, so you can rest, relax, and rejuvenate, as well as reflect on the importance behind this special holiday.

Do you have an activity you'd like to share? I'd enjoy hearing from you. diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to leave a comment here, especially if you use one of my ideas. 

Thanks in advance for your time and visiting today.

Feel free to PIN away if you find anything on our site you think might be helpful to others.

"Encourage spontaneity...by regularly scheduling creative activities." -Art Peterson