America, My America!

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope~ Romans 15:4

Aubry is attending first grade this year at the public school right down the street.  Although I'm not impressed nor a supporter of the new Common Core Curricula that was adopted back in 2010, we felt like she would enjoy the benefit of going to school and being with classmates.  Her teacher is wonderful and she loves her friends.  She is safe and happy.  However, the curriculum leaves a lot to be desired for.  I went to her back to school night two nights ago and almost cried as I was looking through her "history" book.  It was not history.  It is more like social science and it was very baby like.  What they are considering "history" is learning about California and it's government.  There is no talk about the flag or the nation and how it was founded.  One chapter I read in particular was explaining to her how a soccer team functions with a coach, assistant coach and teammates. ?  I don't know what that's about haha!  She is reading well over the challenge that they are handing her.  My remedy is to supplement at home what she is not getting at school.

Ebay is full of text books from people who are done with their Abeka stuff!  You can get used and new textbooks, workbooks, readers, writing pads, music, or anything you can dream of at a discounted price there.  I found her Science and History there and purchased them.  Does this add work onto my already heavy load?  Yes.  It does.  We did school till 6:30 in our house last night.  The two littles were making American flags while listening to The National Anthem during dinner.  That's ok!  They were happy and learning about America.  Even my older son was sneaking in the room to see what we were doing and wanted to participate.

1960 Play Equipment: Who doesn't need this experience? 

Walking to school with friends, priceless!

And he's just cute, and loves to walk to school

Lesson:  What Does it Mean to "Be An American?"

After teaching preschool for several years and being a mother for almost 13 years now, I believe that children by the age of 5 and even a little earlier Do in fact understand what it means to be an American.  I personally believe that the best way to teach  the topic of America is by allowing them to have hands on experience by doing crafts, playing games and touching a map.  Songs about our nation are also helpful.  I also love the Charlie Brown movies that so wonderfully illustrate American history in a fun way.  What happens when our children participate in these activities and engage in these lessons is that they hear about our country's story and discover for themselves a common American heritage.  They learn that although they are part of a community, as individuals they can make a crucial difference.  They begin to be proud and to think profoundly and respond enthusiastically about being an America!

Start by showing students a map of the USA.  America is made up of 50 states.  These states are full of different kinds of people.  Together, we make one great people.  Encourage your students to find where they live on the map. Talk about how each part of the country is very different.  Point out mountains, grasslands, lakes and oceans.  Some vocab words for this unit are:

America- the name of our country
United- joined together
Country- a nation with it's own government

Show pictures of our flag to students.  Discuss with them how we feel proud everytime we see our flag.  We stand up tall when we see it.  It has 13 stripes- 7 red and 6 white.  There are 50 stars on the flag that represent all 50 states.  Red on the flag stands for courage.  White stands for purity.  And blue stands for truth.

Activities:

C is for California coloring page  or pick the state where you live.
Make a flag by cutting strips of paper and using glue!
Design your own flag
Learn the Pledge of Allegiance
Use your hands to create a painted flag

creating his own flag

Hand Painted flag