All Categories

Painting Fireworks

6/26/2014

0 Comments

Supplies:

Construction paper
Paint: red, white, and blue
Paintbrushes
Glitter (optional)

Directions:
Create patriotic fireworks with a few strokes of a paintbrush. Add glitter and let dry.

0 Comments

Patriotic Hand and Foot Print

6/26/2014

0 Comments

Supplies:

White paper
Paint: red and blue

Directions:
Paint top of foot and hand red and bottom of each blue. Leave the middle section unpainted!! Stamp hand onto paper.

0 Comments

Fork Stamping Fireworks

6/26/2014

0 Comments

Supplies:

Construction paper
Paint: red, white, and blue
Forks
Glitter (optional)

Directions: Press fork into paint and stamp onto paper creating a firework effect. Sprinkle with glitter and let dry.

0 Comments

Fireworks with a toilet paper roll

6/26/2014

0 Comments

Supplies:

Construction paper
Paint: red, white and blue
Recycled toiler paper roll
glitter (optional)

Directions: Cut strips in the toilet paper roll about a quarter of the way up the tube. Fold the strips out from the base. Press into paint and stamp onto paper to create a firework effect. Sprinkle glitter on and let dry.

0 Comments

Why we celebrate the 4th of July

6/21/2014

0 Comments

Backyard barbecues. Boisterous parades. Bright, colorful firework displays. The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is anything but your average holiday.

By Lara Sokolowski

A Historic Event

One of the most celebrated events in the United States, the Fourth marks the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The written statement declared that the 13 North American colonies intended to separate from Britain. Penned by a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson, it signaled a break in colonial ties with Britain. Although representatives did not sign the declaration until August 1776, the Fourth of July stands as the official day to celebrate our nation's independence.

Until the declaration was signed, America was a part of the British Empire. But as the colonies grew, Americans felt that the British government was treating them unfairly. They felt that they were paying too much in taxes to Britain and thought the colonies should have a say in how things were governed.

By June 1776, Americans were tired of trying to work out an agreement with Britain. They were also tired of being told what to do, so they decided to write the Declaration of Independence.

The First Celebration

On July 8, 1776, the first celebration took place in Philadelphia. On that day, the declaration was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played. That summer, many towns marked the historic event with a mock funeral for the King of England. This symbolized the death of the monarchy and ushered in the days of liberty. Hundreds of years later, the national holiday remains important, as a day to pay tribute to the United States of America—its laws, heritage, history, and people.

A Patriotic Tradition

Many communities hold colorful parades complete with marching bands and patriotic speeches. Citizens hang American flags from their homes, and buildings are decorated in red, white, and blue. At night, booming firework displays, usually ending with a spectacular finale, can be seen at various parks and fairgrounds. Two of the biggest firework shows take place in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall, and in New York City, on the East River.

Want to show your U.S. pride this Fourth of July? It's easy! First, put on your favorite red, white, and blue clothes. Next, ask your mom or dad to hang the flag outside your apartment or house, or line the driveway with mini flags. Then, find a holiday parade or festival in your neighborhood. And don't forget to map out a good spot in the park (or even in front of the TV) to watch those dazzling fireworks!

Did You Know?

• Independence Day was not declared a legal holiday until 1870. But that didn't stop people from celebrating!

• Work on the Erie Canal in 1817, the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument in 1848, and the laying of the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower all began on the Fourth of July.

• The city of Boston, Massachusetts, first commemorated Independence Day on March 5, 1783, the day of the Boston Massacre.

• Fireworks were made in China as early as the 12th Century! The Chinese originally used them for war rockets and explosives.

• There were 13 original colonies. Can you name them all?

0 Comments

4th of July Star Color Match

11/1/2013

0 Comments

4th of July Songs

11/1/2013

0 Comments

America
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake,
Let all that breathe partake,
Let rocks their silence break --
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King.
--Samuel Francis Smith

Celebration Song
(to the tune of "Oh, My Darling, Clementine")

Wave the flag,
Wave the flag,
Wave the flag, oh, wave it high.
Wave the flag and celebrate
Our nation's Independence Day.

Beat the drum,
Beat the drum,
Beat the drum, bong, bong, bong, bong.
Beat the drum and celebrate
Our nation's Independence Day.

March in time,
March in time,
March in time, oh, watch your step.
March in time and celebrate
Our nation's Independence Day.

Sing a song,
Sing a song,
Sing a song both loud and strong.
Sing a song and celebrate
Our nation's Independence Day.

Watch the fireworks,
Watch the fireworks,
Watch the fireworks light the sky.
Watch the fireworks and celebrate
Our nation's Independence Day.

God Bless America
God Bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.
--Irving Berlin

Happy Birthday, My Country
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday, my country.
Happy birthday to you.

I'm thankful for you.
I'm thankful for you.
You are a great country.
I'm thankful for you.

I'll obey your laws.
I'll obey your laws.
I'll be a good citizen
And obey your laws.

I'll defend your shores.
I'll defend your shores.
From outward attacks,
I'll defend your shores.

The Star-Spangled Banner
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming!
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
--Francis Scott Key

On Independence Day
(to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb")

Fireworks go snap, snap, snap!
Crack, crack, crack! Zap, zap, zap!
Fireworks make me clap, clap, clap
On Independence Day!

I'm a Little Firework
(to the tune of "I'm A Little Teapot")

I'm a little firework
Up in the sky.
I dance and I shimmer
Way up, up high.

Sometimes I'm red.
Sometimes I'm blue.
But I always sparkle
Just for you.

I'm a little firework
Up in the sky.
I dance and I shimmer
Way up, up high
- Holly at hollykananen@yahoo.com

0 Comments

Fourth of July Popsicle Stick Flag

11/1/2013

0 Comments

What you need: Popsicle sticks, paint, Construction paper, and glue.
Have the children paint the popsicle sticks and them glue them on. Have them paint the stars, working on their fine motor skills.

0 Comments

Flag Numbers Craft

11/1/2013

0 Comments

This craft helps young children identify with numbers. Each color is coded with a number.

0 Comments

4th of July Liberty Bell

11/1/2013

0 Comments

Provide children with a paper cup, toilet paper roll, glue, and a piece of tin foil. Encourage and assist children to wrap the tin foil around the paper cup forming it on the bottom into a long ball. Allow the children to glue a toilet paper roll to the top of the cup and help them write Liberty onto it.

0 Comments