GoBigEd

Posted 1:39 PM by Susan Darst Williams

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Here are some fun ideas to raise up a new generation of American patriots.

Patriot Lessons

Q. My daughter says they never say the Pledge of Allegiance in school. She knows very little about American history. How can I make sure she grows up to love the USA?

-- At sporting events, teach her that whenever the flag is on the field of play, you should stand.

-- By age 5, children should know to put their hands over their hearts and take a pretty good stab at the words to “Star-Spangled Banner.”

-- Teach your child patriotic songs and the stories behind them.

-- Read famous patriotic poems and stories together.

-- Have a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence in your home.

-- Check out biographies from the library about American founders.

-- Ask the teacher and principal for daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Most states have Americanism statutes that schools are supposed to follow.

-- Scan textbooks for Politically Correct distortions about America’s past that put our country in a false, negative light. Discuss these with your child.

-- Suggest that your school have an American Heroes day instead of, or in addition to, Halloween.

-- Take your child with you to vote, discuss your choices, and check results together with the next day’s newspaper.

-- Shield children from criticism about our country until they’re old enough to think for themselves.

-- Watch your own speech; model respect for individuals who are in power.

-- Discuss censorship and oppression in other countries; compare and contrast.

-- On vacations, visit places that are important to American history or culture. Examples: Jamestown; the Statue of Liberty; Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields; Pearl Harbor, and Washington, D.C.

-- Have fun celebrating the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, but also have family observances for Presidents Day, Flag Day and Veterans Day.

-- Display a flag outside your home. Teach your child flag etiquette.

-- Pray with your child every night for our country and its leaders.

Homework: Help your child make a folder about your family’s “military genealogy.” Include facts about the countries and battles your ancestors fought in. Add pictures, letters and documents if you have them. These make a great school report.