Today children thanked a veteran. That in itself is a big deal, because the children are preschoolers. In order to thank a veteran, I need to give children a context of understanding. That starts with songs, and my preschoolers love to belt out “God Bless America.” We often sing along with the book.
On the playground this week, children were singing the song.
We learned how to stand, tall and proud, and how to put our hands on our hearts. Singing “God Bless America” in this way gives children a feeling and understanding of respect.
Next, we made a giant American flag:
The planning and cutting
The gluing
Adding the stars
Our guest was a retired Army General. ‘General Z’ was wonderful. We presented him with our flag, and we sang “God Bless America.”
Children were given the opportunity to shake his hand and say ‘thank you’. The youngest child cried because she didn’t want to shake his hand; she wanted to hug him. That opened the door for many hugs. It was a moment.
Red white and blue.
Air Force Sargent Mike came to school today. He had borrowed my book, Blue Sky, White Stars, to read to his daughter’s class at the elementary school. He returned it, and children had an opportunity to shake his hand and say ‘thank you’.
The book depicts America and the flag. On every open page, the words are the same; one is about the flag, and the other is about America.
White rows. White rows.
Rising up. Rising up.
All American. All American.
(I always get choked up on this page.)
The day was wonderful. Children understood. They were proud. The veterans felt the same way, ten-fold.
Thank you to all the veterans and all who serve.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 