A great way to engage children and teach them about the history and significance of the U.S. flag is a story or series of stories about the flag and how it came to be. Stories that focus on the American flag include "Betsy Ross and the Flag," a story about a young widow who made the first United States flag based on drawings she received from George Washington. Another choice could be "The Flag of our Country" by Charles Sumner, a short story by an American stateman that details what the flag means to him and what it symbolizes for the people of the United States.
Over the years, there have been several songs about the United States flag. The U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written specifically about the flag. Children can learn about the flag and its history by learning the words to the song. Other popular songs have been written about the flag over the years as well, including "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Stars and Stripes Forever."
One way to teach children about the flag and reinforce its importance as a symbol of freedom in the United States is to have children memorize the Pledge of Allegiance. It's also important to teach children how to properly handle the flag. Children should learn that they should never drag the flag on the ground or fly the flag in inclement weather. No other flag should be flown above the United States flag. Teach children how to raise the flag on the school's flag pole and lower the flag without letting it touch the ground.
Learning about the flag can also be fun for children. There are many different scenes or pictures of the flag that children can color and decorate in their best representation of what the United States flag should look like. There are also games with terms related to the flag, including word finds and crossword puzzles with terms related to the flag like "tattered," "hoist" or "banner."