Citizenship Fun

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

19 Jun 2006 06:30 AM

We're coming up on the 4th of July and there's a lot of celebrations that we'll be attending including the most popular one related to the 4th of July and that would be the fireworks! Here are some great activities to not only get your kids into the spirit of things, but also to help you not only get into the spirit of it, but also to teach your kids about being citizens themselves.

You'll need:

• Construction Paper (Red and Blue)
• Poster Board
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Star Stickers
• Multi-Colored Markers

Set your kids up with the poster board and the construction paper. Show them how to cut out the stripes of the American flag. Remember, there is 13 alternating red and white stripes on the flag and those 13 stripes represent the 13 colonies of the United States. Print out a list of the colonies so that you are ready to mention them. For kids born in one of these states, they can also draw that state on their poster board.

When the stripes are ready, attach a field of blue to one corner of the flag and then hand them their stickers to start putting their stickers in place. How many stars are there on a U.S. Flag? The current flag has 50 stars, one for each state that has been admitted to the Union. Describe the difference between the states admitted to the Union and the stripes that represent the colonies.

When their flags are ready, they can set them in the center of the poster board. Using their markers, ask your child to write the Pledge of Allegiance in one corner and the opening lines of the National Anthem in another. In still another, ask them to write down what it means to be a citizen - ask them what freedom means and ask if they know what it is to vote.

In the very last open corner, ask your child to draw what they believe it is to be a citizen - anything they want. While this artistic project is ideal for children age 5 to 10, it's a good exercise for adults to remind us of the personal freedoms and the pride in being an American that we may forget. Fireworks are great, but understanding why we celebrate it is even more important.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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