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Lesson Plan
Search For Activities
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| Summer can
be a time to reconnect with children and family. Getting
a balance between outside activities that are
structured, spur-of-the-moment, and planned is important
for children. Free time for a child to catch their
breath, dream, and accomplish a desired task is also
part of summertime. This month you will find activities
that educate children about the United States flag and
some unusual ways to use puzzles and cookies. #1 Flag
Day is June 14th and presents an opportunity to share
our country’s flag history. Just as developing family
traditions are important, learning our country’s
traditions and history of events can inspire an
appreciation of America.
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President Wilson established a
proclamation regarding the flag and President Truman signed an Act
of Congress designating National Flag Day.
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Annual Pause for the Pledge of
Allegiance was signed by President Reagan.
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Each Flag Day at 7:00 pm Eastern Time,
everyone throughout our nation is to “pause” and recite the Pledge
of Allegiance.
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Pledge
of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
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If the child already knows the Pledge,
encourage them to memorize a patriotic song.
Here are some words to songs that children enjoy.
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Each star on the flag represents a
state and since Wisconsin was the 30th state to join the United
States, we are represented by the 30th star. Encourage a child to
count and find the 30th star representing Wisconsin. When looking at
a flag, it can become more personal to a child when they see the
star representing their state.
#2 It
is important for adults to teach children about our
country’s traditions and beliefs so they become
well-informed citizens. Flag folding is a tradition we
can share with children.
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The easiest way to practice folding a
flag is with a paper flag. A blank flag pattern can be obtained in
coloring books or
with this link.
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Guide a child in beginning and ending
with a red stripe or use a pre-printed flag
with this link.
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The flag will be folded into the shape
of a tri-cornered hat which symbolizes the hats worn by colonial
soldiers during the War for Independence.
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The red and white of the flag is
wrapped into the blue showing the light of day vanishes into the
darkness of night.
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A real flag is held waist high with
another person and the surface is parallel to the ground.
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Fold the lower half of the stripe
section lengthwise over the field of stars.
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Fold again lengthwise with the flue
field on the outside.
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Make a triangular fold by bringing the
striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the
flag.
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Turn the outer point inward, parallel
to the open edge to form a second triangle.
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Continue the triangular folding the
entire length of the flag.
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This
link illustrates how to fold the flag.
#3 Jigsaw puzzles
are one of the safest activities to do and give a lot of
educational value for a small cost. Puzzles come in all
sizes and skill levels.
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Educational Benefits of Puzzles
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Improves hand-eye coordination
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Develops shape-size recognition and
matching ability which are pre-reading skills
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Develops perseverance
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Enhances social skills when working as
a partner or in a group
Choose puzzles that are timeless and
durable with size of individual pieces suitable to size of hand. Let the
puzzle be challenging but not frustrating. Alphabet and geography
puzzles are always a good choice. Encourage language skills by talking
when solving the puzzle.
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Use a piece of felt as a base when
working on a puzzle. It can be rolled up and put away but pieces
will stay in place.
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Have a puzzle readily available for
all family members to fit in a piece when they have a few moments of
free time.
Try this link for on-line jigsaw puzzles. |
(Click photos to enlarge image.) |
#4 Here are some
ways to keep jigsaw puzzles interesting through the
years.
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Time how long
it takes to put a puzzle together. Encourage
a child to beat his own time.
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Number all of
your puzzles and keep a record of when the
puzzle was completed, who completed the
puzzle, and how long it took.
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Make your own
puzzles. Find a picture, make a copy, and
glue on posterboard – file folders
work great. Cut into an age appropriate
number of pieces and store in plastic bags.
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Young children
like to make puzzles from food boxes –
cereal, Jell-O and pizza boxes are
favorites.
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Have a puzzle
exchange with other families.
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Let me
know by e-mail what your favorite activity was this month. I am compiling information for a resource book
and want your input. Thanks.
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