The simple lines and shapes of the American flag create a suitable craft project for first graders learning about American symbols.
Before simply offering first graders a coloring page depicting an outline of the American flag, consider creative project ideas. A patriotic teaching theme may include learning about several different symbols of America. Engage first graders in fun learning activities using picture books and crafts.
American Flag
Teach first graders about the history of the American flag beginning with its earliest variations from 1775. Read a picture book such as "The American Flag (First Facts)" by Debbie L. Yanuc aloud to children. Play audio of the "Star Spangled Banner" as you show students the meaningful flag-related text of the song.
Provide students with materials to create a flag. Students need rectangular, white art paper and materials to create red stripes, a blue corner for the stars and white stars. Use markers, paint or crayons to create these or provide students with collage materials for the couch. Have children glue on stripes, the blue rectangle and white stars to finish the flag.
Statue of Liberty
Read a picture book such as "Lady Liberty: A Biography" by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares aloud to children so that children understand the history and origins of the statue.
Assist student understanding of the enormous size of the statue by taking students outside to recreate a few of her features. Create chalk lines on a sidewalk to show students the 25-foot length of Liberty’s feet and the four-foot, six-inch length of her nose.
Liberty Bell
Use a picture book to teach first graders about the Liberty Bell. The children’s book "Our Liberty Bell" by Henry Jonas Magaziner and John O’Brien offers a suitable read-aloud.
After reading about the Liberty Bell, assist students in creating a salt dough model of the bell. Use a mixture of equal parts salt and flour mixed with half as much water as salt and flour to create dough the consistency of modeling clay. Let the models air dry, then have students paint the bells using acrylic or tempera paints.
Uncle Sam
Assist students' understanding of the symbol of Uncle Sam by reading aloud a picture book such as "Uncle Sam’s America" by David and Kathryn Hewitt. Discuss the meaning of serving your country with first graders as you explain Uncle Sam’s use on recruiting posters.
After reading, assist students in creating Uncle-Sam-style "I Want You" posters featuring each child as Uncle Sam. Print a photo of each child’s face. Create an outline of an Uncle Sam figure featuring the face, hat, shoulders and pointing finger for each child to color. Instruct children to color everything but the face. Help children to attach their photographed face in the appropriate spot.
Eagle
Teach children about the American symbol of the bald eagle by reading aloud a book such as "The Bald Eagle" by Lloyd G. Douglas. Discuss freedom and other themes in the book that relate to the eagle as an American symbol.
Have children create an American Bald Eagle headband using a four-inch wide strip of white paper, feathers, yellow fun foam triangle and large crafter’s wiggle eyes. Have children decorate the strip with red stripes in crayon or marker. In the middle of the strip, have children attach the two large wiggle eyes and the foam triangle for an eagle’s beak. Help children to glue the white feathers around the eyes and beak to create the eagle’s head. Assist children in connecting the strip at the proper headband size to wear.
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