Simple and poetic text accompany factual trivia in this picture book.

The Flag We Love, by Pam Muñoz Ryan
This is a vibrant picture book, filled with illustrations and the history of the beloved flag of the United States. Ralph Masiello's illustrations capture the visual history of this enduring symbol.

Activities
You can spark student interest with fifty facts about the flag. Stretch a string at an angle from the classroom ceiling to the floor. Place 50 wooden closthespins in a container near the string. After reading The Flag We Love to your students, place the book at a center along with blue construction paper stars 1-50, twenty-five 2"x18" red paper strips, and twenty-five 2"x18" white paper strips in a basket. During center time students will go and add a fact about the flag until 50 different facts have been found and displayed.

Student Directions (to be posted by the basket):

1. Search a reference book for two interesting facts about our flag.
2. Write one fact on a red strip; then write the other fact on a white strip.
3. Tape a blue star to the end of each strip.
4. Use a clothespin to clip each star to the string.

Stars and Stripes Etiquette
Teach your students about the importance of honoring the flag and the rules associated with handling it. After reading The Flag We Love, explain that the United States has special rules for displaying and honoring the flag. Divide the class into groups of three or four. Assign each group a different flag code topic. Instruct the group to research and prepare a brief report of one of the rules included in the topic. Provide groups with equipment they need for their presentations. They may share their new knowledge with other classes.

Topics:

• Displaying the flag.
• hanging the flag outdoors.
• Hanging the flag indoors.
Raising and lowering the flag.
• Carrying the flag.
• Saluting the flag.
• Permitted and prohibited uses (including clothing).
• Caring for the flag.

Find more ideas about teaching activities at the Pam Muñoz Ryan website.

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