Flag Day - that American holiday that goes largely unnoticed - the step-child of the patriotic holidays, if you will.

It's not a popular notion today to honor the American flag is it?

And this is another reason I love homeschooling... we don't have to go along with popular notions about anything. We choose to honor our flag and honor our country and can incorporate that liberally into our children's home education!

After taking our children to visit Washington, DC, it lit a fire in us to incorporate more patriotism into our homeschool. We do this through books, music, and now activities surrounding patriotic days such as Flag Day.

The History of the American Flag

Just as our Nation has a fascinating and embattled history, so does her flag. Most of us have heard of the seamstress of our first flag, Betsy Ross. We've seen the flag fly on the moon. And we've recognized its importance of a symbol of unity when we see it at half mast.

Here are some additional interesting facts about the history of our flag:

The colors of our flag were designated with the Flag Resolution of 1777.
The color red in our flag symbolizes hardiness and valor.
The white of the flag symbolizes purity and innocence.
The color blue represents vigilance, justice, and perseverance.
Old Glory was the actual name given to an actual single (and very large) flag, last displayed in 2006.
The Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key, was actually inspired by a real flag. This flag was flown over Fort McHenry in Baltimore in 1814 during 25 hours of British bombardment.

The History of Flag Day

In 1777, a Flag Resolution was passed that gave us the American flag we recognize today, with the alternating red and white stripes. Of course, we would grow the number of starts represented as new states were born.

Several individuals claim first rights regarding the celebration of Flag Day, but the first official Flag Day was established by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. June 14th, 1949, President Truman, via an Act of Congress, declared an annual National Flag Day.

21-Days from Flag Day to Independence Day

Flag Day itself actually falls as a single day within National Flag Week. From Flag Day, there are twenty-one days until Independence Day. This period of time is called Honor America Days.

This period of time makes a perfect summer homeschooling activity with a done-for-you theme! Following are 21 Flag Day and Honor America Days activities that you can use with your children.

No planning in advance is really necessary, you can pick and choose which ones work best for you. However, if you choose to do something every day, your children (and you!) will develop a deeper respect for our nation's heritage and arrive at a new appreciation for Independence Day.

Flag Day Activities

These Flag Day and Honor America Days activities cover a wide range of ages and skill levels. You're the mom- you can choose which ones will work for you, and how to alter them for your own use.

Start an Honor America's Days notebook and add a new fact, drawing, quote, or insight every day. (Use the FREE Flag Day Notebooking Pages!)
Learn how to correctly display the Flag.
Learn how to fold the Flag.
Research to find out the name of the type of study that is used to research flags. Do a word study on it.
Make a Flag Day cake out of cupcakes or another trusted recipe.
With parental guidance, research the internet to discover locations where the American Flag is flown 24 hours per day. Plot these on a map. Record any insights from your research in your notebook.
Color a picture of our Flag. You can choose from many variations during its development.
Watch Red Skeleton's meaning of the American Flag on video.
Memorize the Preamble to the Constitution.
Research the preambles to the consti tutions of each of the fifty states. (This free ebook requires an email opt-in.)
Make a patriotic pin wheel.
Make a tissue paper flag.
Choose a word search or vocabulary printable on Flag Day.
Enjoy some red, white, and blue popcorn.
Research and plan a visit to a parade honoring the Flag or our Nation.
Enjoy an outdoor BBQ with patriotic decorations.
Interview a veteran and ask them about a memory they have about the flag.
Plan to attend a fireworks celebration.
Visit the National Museum of American History's website for a fun quiz on the Flag. How many stars can you collect?
Create your own glossary of flag terms.
Enjoy honoring America with the SQUILT Summer Music Appreciation series!

Patriotic Music for the Summer from SQUILT Music Appreciation

However your family decides to celebrate Flag Day, it can be a fun and enjoyable kick-off to summertime!

Resources to Help You Learn About Flag Day

Betsy Ross: Designer of Our Flag (Childhood of Famous Americans)Bright Crimson Red Tissue Paper 20 Inch x 30 Inch - 48 XL Sheets Dark Blue Tissue Paper 15 Inch X 20 Inch - 100 Sheet Pack 1 X White Tissue Paper 15 Inch X 20 Inch - 100 Sheet Pack Children's Encyclopedia of American History We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States Norcom 100 Sheet Marble Composition Notebooks, College Ruled, Patriotic Colors, Pack of 3 (Red, White and Blue)Anley Fly Breeze 3x5 Foot American US Polyester Flag - Vivid Color and UV Fade Resistant - Canvas Header and Double Stitched - USA Flags with Brass Grommets 3 X 5 Ft The American Flag (True Books: American History (Paperback))The American Flag: A Handbook of History & Etiquette (Little Books of Wisdom)Our Flag A Grand Old Flag: A History of the United States Through its Flags

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Wouldn't it be glorious if we could just embrace summer to its fullest?

I used to think taking a complete break from "school" was best. The kids (and mom) needed time to decompress, relax, sleep in, and do all of the wonderful things summer has to offer.

Then reality set in.

After about a week of "embracing" summer, I started observing grumbling, boredom, and a spirit of discontent (and this was just from mom!). The kids were at loose ends and not so happy about summertime anymore.

Routine is a GOOD thing.

When my kids were younger we always embraced a gentle way to school throughout the summer. Now that they are older we need more formalized routines to maintain good moods and fosters peaceful relationships (can you relate?)

A routine also keeps academic skills sharp and inquisitive minds churning. It eliminates the need for questions and keeps kids off of devices.

Simple Summer Homeschool For Big Kids - A Routine to Keep them Engaged and Learning

It's all about SIMPLE in our homeschool.

Both my husband and I work from home. I need to be sure there is time for me to WORK in the mornings, so having this simple routine in place greatly helps our home run smoothly. We are both structured people and tend to become unhappy without routine.

It's just natural our children will need routine then, too.

This is nothing fancy, and it might look different in your homeschool, but here is our routine. Resources we are using will be listed at the end.

Simple Summer Homeschool Routine for Big Kids

Morning Time

We keep Morning Time going throughout the summer.

Devotions
Read-Aloud (I spend A LOT of time reading aloud - we're enjoying this part of our summer. We take turns reading aloud and using this fun color by number... makes read-aloud time fun.)
SQUILT (my son helps me preview SQUILT LIVE! lessons - I always try them out on him first)

Summer Read Alouds in a Simple Homeschool Summer Schedule for Big Kids

Chores

Take out the garbage, unload the dishwasher, make sure your room is picked up and bed made, etc...

Math

Math is too important a skill to let slide. My son completes a full math lesson each day (yes, I am a mean mom).

We are also peppering in some ACT practice problems this summer as well. I'm finding it's never too early to start this.

Vocabulary

My son enjoys words (I think a lot of this comes from learning Latin), so I ordered a set of ACT flashcards.

He enters them into Quizlet each day. I've challenged him to learn all 500 words by the end of the summer. If he can learn them I have promised him a trip to our local LEGO store.

Yes, I know - bribery.

Don't judge.

Building Vocabulary in Summer Homeschool

Piano Practice

Piano is another skill that needs constant attention. 20-30 minutes practice is required each day. I'm quite thankful my kids enjoy playing.

(If you don't have a musician, you might choose another skill your child enjoys to work on this summer - maybe it is art or some other creative outlet)

Read Alone

Once the other activities are finished, it's reading time. You can see some of the books my son has been interested in below.

Normally, the morning time, math, vocabulary, and piano take approximately 3 hours - then reading seems to occur for 30 minutes, or however long a book will captivate my son.

This routine seems to take us right to lunch time.

(I don't make the kids get up at any certain time in the summer, but they've seemed to figure out that if they sleep in too late they will be doing their required work longer, and that's no fun.)

After lunch there is usually time spent with a friend, errands to run, going to the YMCA, or something else to keep the day interesting.

Of course, we have a couple of vacations planned, the kids have a mission trip, and Grant is going to camp. This routine is in place for those weeks when we are home and need to be occupied.

That's it. I told you it was simple.