One of the things we focused on during our first week of school was the United States flag. We were inspired to make our very own flags..from torn paper! The project went perfectly with my 2nd grader’s Adventures in My Father’s World curriculum in which she will be learning about US history and various patriotic symbols.
Torn Paper Flag Craft Instructions:
We made the flags using ONLY two supplies…construction paper (red, white, and blue) and glue. Yes, the kids had to tear the paper to make their flags. They were definitely working on their fine motor skills! To make your own torn paper flag, simply tear one blue square, six long strips of white paper, and a bunch of small bits of white paper. Adhere the white strips to the red paper. Then adhere the blue square to the upper left corner and add on the white bits!
I was inspired to come up with the craft idea after we read I Pledge Allegiance by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson. The illustration of the flag (by Chris Raschka) on the very first page looks as if it is made from torn paper. (See the book in the picture above.) Hence, the idea to ban the kids from using the scissors! Aside from the fun torn paper flag artwork, this is really a great book! It explains what all of the big words in the pledge of allegiance actually mean…in a way that a child can understand. Check out the page below which explains a “republic.”
When I first told the kids about the project, they were very confused when I refused to give them scissors. However, after looking closer at the flag illustration in the book, they got to work tearing lots of paper!
I absolutely love how they turned out!
Be sure to check out some of the other patriotic resources that we used and enjoyed!!!
Be sure to head over to Homeschool Creations for a Pledge of Allegiance printable! Although my kids already know the pledge, I still have the printable posted in our schoolroom…mostly because I think it is so stinkin’ cute!!!
Looking for more picture book fun? Be sure to visit the iHomeschool Network for A Book and a Big Idea, a blog hop where iHn bloggers share some of their favorite picture books and coordinating enrichment activities!
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