Create patriotically-themed crafts with your students. Have them use construction paper or paint to make their own versions of the flag. Teach them to make patriotic windsocks with construction paper and red, white and blue crepe-paper streamers. Kids can cut red, white and blue craft foam into the shape of stars and then glue safety pins to the back of them. Display the completed crafts in your classroom, or have children wear their stars to illustrate pride in their country. While creating these crafts, discuss what patriotism means and why it is important to feel love and loyalty toward one's country.
Your students can create and compose thank-you cards for U.S. soldiers. Have students use crayons, markers, glitter, glue, paint, stickers and any other type of craft material to decorate construction paper and turn it into a card. For example, children may fold a piece of construction paper in half and draw flags or a picture of an eagle on the front panel. Inside the cards, kids can write messages that express gratitude to soldiers who are serving or have served their country. Send the cards to active troops or veterans' organizations.
Teach your first-grade students patriotic songs. In addition to "The Star-Spangled Banner," you can teach other patriotic favorites, including "You're a Grand Old Flag," "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "America the Beautiful." While you can simply teach your students the lyrics to these songs, you can also teach them movements that correspond with their singing. For example, while singing "You're a Grand Old Flag," children can pretend they are waving a flag.
Have your students show their patriotism through writing. Provide children with paper and pencil, and encourage them to write a sentence or a paragraph that tells what they love about America. For example, children may write that they love America because they can go to school, or because they love baseball--anything that relates to the country and showcases an affection for the country will be appropriate. Have kids illustrate what they have written, and invite them to share their work with the class.