Planting flags in our Memory Garden at school.
It all started with our field trip to the Shriners Circus years ago. This circus is a perfect event for preschoolers as it’s grand but not overwhelming. My class was seated and ready. The circus began with lowering a big American flag and singing our National Anthem. I had no idea this would happen. So, of course I stood, put my hand over my heart, and began to sing.
I looked at the children and they were playing. I looked at the parents and they were chatting away. I was horrified. Immediately I began rushing to each child and showing them how to stand and placing their little hands over their hearts. I must have looked like someone who was frantically putting out fires, because that’s exactly what I was doing. I was desperately trying to stop the ambivalence.
I knew I had plenty of teaching to do ahead. My first step was to teach the children about our flag, since that was what they remembered from the circus. I had a parent who was retired from the Navy bring a flag to school and tell the children all about it. It was wonderful! Why had I not thought about doing this before? Seeing, touching, and learning about the flag shouldn’t wait until elementary school. I learned along with the children. Do you know the nickname of our flag? I do.
My next step was our National Anthem, and there is no better book than Peter Spier’s The Star-Spangled Banner to teach this to young children. Each line in the song is a full color illustration, which ignites plenty of questions and conversation.
We poured through this book, and ended up getting a piece of American history. We talked about how the rockets were the only source of light to see the flag. Then we talked about battles, and flying the flag showed we were still in the fight. One child looked at an illustration and said, “That must be a towering steep.” She was right! The book includes the second and third versus, all with full illustrations. I was surprised that I could still sing those by heart, and the children were surprised, too.
Singing; that was the next part of teaching. We needed to sing patriotic songs. Singing is universal when it comes to expressing the heart and soul of how you feel. The children loved singing “God Bless America”. After we learned the song, they decided to sing it amongst themselves and then for other classes on the playground. They couldn’t get enough, so I arranged for soldiers to visit on Veteran’s Day so we could sing for them. It was a wonderful event, yet the children wanted more. I could tell. We made a “God Bless America” book where we wrote all the words and drew the pictures. What a treasure! The quilt that followed hangs at the Fisher House in Boston.
Patriotism continues to grow in the classroom, year after year. I lead the way in a school-wide Memorial Day Remembrance. A retired Air Force Master Sergeant tells children about Memorial Day, in a way they can understand. The Aqua Room holds the American flag and leads the school in singing “God Bless America.”
Thank a member of our military every chance you get. Never forget the sacrifice they make to preserve our freedom.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Well done Jennie!
Thank you, FR!
What great lessons to teach them, Jennie. They might not fully understand, but are old enough to start learning.
Yes, yes, and yes. Thank you, Dan.
I can’t imagine how many times you’ve encountered unexpected teachable moments – then work to emphasize them. Well done, Jennie!
Emergent curriculum is the best! Thanks, Frank.
God Bless us, everyone
Yes!
What a picture, GP.
Well said, and done, Jennie.
Thank you, Deborah.
❤ perfect, jennie
Thank you, Beth.
Nice putting out the fire, Jennie. And great follow up teaching the little ones their first lesson in patriotism.
While the Star Spangled Banner is our national song, I love the 7th inning sing a long, God Bless America, at baseball games.
Happy Memorial Day
I do, too! Did you know Irving Berlin wrote the song because he hated The Star-Spangled Banner? Thank you, Don.
I don’t feel so unpatriotic now
I’m glad!
How wonderful that you instil a sense of patriotism in the children. Well done!
It’s sad the parents didn’t know what to do. It’s oh so happy you helped everyone.
Good gosh, Jennie. You gave me goosebumps in every word I read. Then I wished you could teach every class in America. Then I thought I DO know the nickname for the flag, I think (is it “Old Glory”?). It just popped in my head though I haven’t heard if for so many years. But yes, when I grew up the teachers taught us the pledge of allegiance where we stood up and held our hands to our hearts and sang The Star-Spangled Banner. I want it to be ‘cool’ again to love our country. I want history lessons to include the failures of our country (and there are many) but to also celebrate all the things we do right in the United States of America, including political discourse – if it’s civil. That’s how we learn and grow. And everyone I know who visits other countries return saying, “oh. wow. we are so lucky to be Americans.”
Well done, Jennie. If the parents are too clueless, you had to lead by example. I’ve seen this kind of behaviour in our school assemblies when everyone should be standing tall and singing our anthem, but instead the kids poke each other and fool around. It’s disgusting that no one has taught them about respect and patriotism. So glad you do what you do, Jennie. If you can get a few kids to know what to do and why they are doing it, maybe they’ll be a better example for others.
Hi Jennie, thank you for this excellent post!
Your last sentence says it all, Jennie!
I felt the same way. Thank you, Bruce!
Perfect for the day, Jennie. Thank you.
Thank you, John.
😁
Thank you Jennie. Happy Memorial Day. Long may we remember 🪖💔🥀
You are welcome, Cindy. Yes, long may we remember.
What an important lesson to teach young children, that as American citizens, we each belong to a national community that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Exactly the lesson! Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie!
I wish there were more teachers like you.
That is so nice. Thank you! You can tell I love what I do. BTW, do I call you bluebird of bitterness?
If you like. Some people call me bluebird, some call me blue, some call me b.o.b. — I answer to them all. 🙂
Thanks! 😀
Have you shared this story before, Jennie. It seems familiar. You’re great about introducing patriotism in practical ways in your classroom. I know music and art are also gateways to promoting patriotism for you—a perfect approach.
The story goes back to 2017 or 2018. I might have mentioned the incident in another post, but not the full story. If this wasn’t a giant open door to teaching patriotism, I don’t know what else would have been better. Thank you, Pete. I can’t plan this stuff, it just happens.
Jennie you always find the best way to teach your children the truth and love for your flag. ….We must never forget 💜💜💜
Thank you, Willow. 💕 Yes, never forget.
💜💜💜💜
Great lesson for the kids to learn when they become old enough to know. Great post Jennie 😊👏
Thank you, Kamal!
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Jennie this really touched my heart. I felt as if I was right there with you, at the circus. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher. Indeed, you don’t only teach preschoolers. You teach each of us with every blog post. Big hugs.
I’m so glad! Yes, that circus moment is branded in my head. Well, actually my soul. See, things happen for a reason, and that event gave me a pathway to teaching. This is how you learn and write, too. You pay attention to so many things, and that becomes the trigger for your wonderful stories. I’m humbled at your words, Teagan. Thank you!
Hi Jennie, American patriotism always amazes me. There is no unification in South Africa, sadly. The recent election has demonstrated a significant return to tribalism which is concerning. A wonderful post and you are a magnificent teacher.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Robbie. Patriotism gives people strength and hope. It is truly sad that South Africa has no unification. Yes, tribalism is very concerning. Best to you.
Thank you, Jennie. Hugs.
You are welcome. Big hugs!
Wonderful, wonderful wonderful Jennie! I am absolutely amazed and disappointed at the lack of flags that we see throughout the neighborhood. We fly I was regularly and on Memorial Day and Fourth of July. We put out a ton of little flags around the house. Patriotism seems to become on the wane and it needs to be taught very early on so kids grow up understanding and appreciating how fortunate we are to live in this great country. Kudos to you for exposing it to your students and to your husband for serving.
Thank you, Steve. I feel the same way, and we need to teach children patriotism. Last week I was the 1833 schoolmarm for our third graders in town. They all knew the Pledge of Allegiance, and the ‘belted out’ “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”. No National Anthem back then.
Awesome, Jennie. An experience the kids will always remember. 🙂 You’re amazing.
Thanks so much, Diana. 🥰
Amazing Jennie and a pride in one’s country and for those who served and lost their lives for the freedoms we enjoy is so important. You have gone way beyond the call of duty with regard to this and these children will be inspired for the rest of their lives. ♥
Thank you so much, Sally. It’s what I do, because all children need to learn about patriotism and their country and their flag. Your words are truly wonderful and appreciated.
My pleasure Jennie such an important part of life and needs to be learnt when young. ♥
Beautiful… Jennie! XOXO
What a great read, thank you for keeping alive our love for our country. What blessing you are to those who you have taught and still teach.
Thank you.
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A most beautiful post Jennie to teach the children what their anthem stands for and for teaching them why honoring soldiers is so important. Teaching them young is important before their brains get spoiled by outside noise. ❤
You are so right, Debby. Thank you! 💕
Hugs xx
So sad that people would not show respect for even the American flag. It feels like respect and kindness are fading away fast in today’s society.
I feel the same way, which makes me even more passionate to teach this to children. When the National Anthem is played at a sporting event, even the players don’t put their hand over their heart or look at the flag. So sad.