It’s not everyday that a WWII plane appears out of nowhere, overhead, in my own backyard. It was enormous! Hubby thought it could be a B-24 or even a rarer B-29 Superfortress.
Somehow it seemed very fitting. Yesterday at school I pulled out my autoharp and Miles asked to sing “This Land is Your Land.” I was surprised. While the song was the most popular song last year (understatement), we have only sung it one time this year – two weeks ago.
That’s all it took.
So yesterday, we sang “This Land is Your Land” in an enormous way. Children stood up. They fought over who would hold the book while we sang.
What is it about patriotic songs? How is it that children can sense a strong, wonderful feeling? I don’t have an answer, but I will embrace their enthusiasm and sing those songs. Emergent curriculum. Patriotism. Children and music.
At pick-up time I asked Miles’ mom how he knew this song.
“He heard it from you. And he loves that song. He has been singing it non-stop every day.”
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
We had a wonderful choir at my middle school. The students blossomed as they sang. Being a middle school, the content was always about the winter musical and the spring musical. I wish everyone understood the importance of the arts in school.
I wish the same thing! The arts are truly the foundation for learning, and what we learn ‘sticks’. I’m glad you had these experiences.
That is just so wonderful, to be the one instilling true patriotism into the children 🥰
Thank you, Ritu! It just seems to happen. 😍
🥰
I’m no expert, but after enlarging the photo I think it is a Super Fortress.
You have given Miles a song that he will remember for all his life. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I was hoping you or GP might know! Hubby will be thrilled. Thanks so much, Pete. Sometimes we don’t even realize when we’re giving something important to children. I always try to remember that. Best to you.
It doesn’t have the cabin ‘hump’ of the earlier flying fortress, which is why I think it;s sure to be a B-29.
Thanks, Pete! Every time I click on the link a series of different images appears, but not planes.
I can actually see the photo on your blog. Strange!
Here;s a different one.
Thanks, Pete!
Love the song too. Really, aircrafts/ planes are always fantastic. Michael
I feel the same way! 😀
:-))
Great timing all the way round!
Last year #1 learned several more patriotic songs, but his favorite was You’re a Grand Old Flag. My title might be off but you know the song I mean. He sang it all the time and we asked him to sing it just as often. 😃
The timing was remarkable, the plane was absolutely gigantic, and the song was #1 at school. I find it fascinating that things can happen together like this. I love that song your grandson sang! You have the title right. These patriotic songs are among the best. Thank you, Deborah.
Wonderful post, Jennie. It sounds like such a great song. You should record your class singing it for us.
Thank you, Robbie. Yes, I should record that. Will do!
I am looking forward to hearing it.
🙂
Such a great song. Although we have different words to it in Canada, it always makes me feel proud as I’m sure it does your students. Keep doing what you’re doing. xo
Thank you, Darlene. I feel the same way. And, I will keep doing what I do! So, Canada has different words to the song? I’d love to know those words.
Here it is. The place names had to be changed, of course. I think there is a picture book as well.
This Land is Your Land (Canadian Lyrics by The Travellers )
This land is your land, This land is my land,
From Bonavista, to Vancouver Island
From the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes waters,
This land was made for you and me.
As I went walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway;
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me.
I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps,
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
While all around me a voice was sounding,
Saying this land was made for you and me
The sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling;
As the fog was lifting, a voice was chanting,
This land was made for you and me.
This land is your land, this land is my land,
From Bonavista to Vancouver Island;
From the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes waters,
This land was made for you and me.
Woody Gunthrie’s lyrics are ©1956 (renewed 1984), 1958 (renewed 1986) and 1970 TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc. (BMI)
Thank you, Darlene! It’s just the chorus that is different, to relate to Canada of course. Do children learn the song in school?
It depends on the teacher but I´m sure many do.
Such a great song. Although we have different words to it in Canada, it always makes me feel proud as I’m sure it does your students. Keep doing what you’re doing. xo
I hadn’t thought about it before, but you’re right about children and patriotic sounds. They like to sing it loud and sing it proud!
It took me a long time teaching and singing songs to children to realize that children love patriotic songs. They stand proud, belt it out loud, and feel good. Music is a wonderful thing.
😀
I wouldn’t know one plane from another but it’s exciting to see something no longer common. The song is an earworm for Miles. We always sang patriotic songs with exhuberace too but I came from a military family.
I had no idea what kind of plane it was, only that it was enormous, old, and flying low.
Oops… and thank goodness hubby was there to identify it. It is a joy to see children sing patriotic songs with such exuberance. I did not grow up in a military family, but I learned to sing all those songs in school. Great memories!
Touching hearts, touching minds, changing lives. Beautiful, Jennie.
Thank you for your lovely words, Norah. ❤️
You’re welcome, Jennie.
We live a few blocks from Pratt and Whitney and occasionally have had that experience. I read a wonderful article distinguishing patriotism(love of one’s country) from nationalism(animosity to all other countries.) It is sad that the two are confused a lot of the times. I love all those patriotic songs I learned as a kid and I am far from a nationalist.
I feel exactly the same way, Elizabeth. Patriotism is a wonderful thing, and I find it unfortunate that it is confused with nationalism. Very cool that you occasionally had the same aircraft experience.
Can you believe that yesterday one crashed. How awful.
I know!! And it was the same aircraft that flew,over our house. ☹️
I wish the kids sang patriotic songs at school but times have changed and it seems out of vogue in today’s environment. As a kid, our grammar s hook sang them and the military songs, religiously. I learned them then and have never forgotten them. Nice work on your part to keep them alive, Jennie.
Thank you, Steve. I don’t care if it is out of vogue and if times have changed, because children haven’t changed. They love these songs! So, I will keep them alive. 🙂
You can’t beat Woody!
Absolutely!!