Patriotic Resources

I want to raise my girls to love America and to understand what our country means to the world. Our country is one of ideals, of freedoms, of opportunities - ours is a country like no other. I believe in American Exceptionalism, and I want my daughters to understand how this amazing country came to be. So, on the 11th anniversary of 9/11, I'd like to share with you some resources I've found to encourage patriotism.

Above, is a poster of all the signers of the Constitution. It has quotes from James Madison and others, and (this is what I love) it also has a key at the bottom to help you identify each of the signers in the picture! This is available at David Barton's site Wall Builders. We actually don't have these resources yet, but they're on my list of things to get soon (everyone has a list, right?) ;) .

This book is one I've been wanting for a while now, but I've been waiting until the girls are just a little older to get it. It is AH-MAZING! It's from The Learning Parent, which is such a great site if you've never checked it out. The following is from the description on Amazon:

More than simply facts and figures, For You They Signed provides an abundance of resources within one volume, including: A full year of life-changing, challenging family or group devotional character studies, over 90 illustrations, biographical summaries, insightful quotes, and character quality definitions, Patrick Henry's speech delivered to the signers, the Christian nature of state constitutions, and the Christian nature of America's universities. The Declaration of Independence remains one of history's most enduring achievements, and this text will help you value those freedoms these men fought for in an insightfully fresh way. It will also assist you in catching the God-given vision of these faithful new Americans, igniting a fire for your family, community, and the generations to come. Here is a volume that should be found in every private and public library in America... a meticulously documented look back to the true birth of our nation. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so that we could be free!

Seriously, after reading that blurb it's incredibly hard not to go order that book right now! The Learning Parent also has flashcards of each signer (with a Bible verse and character quality) that goes along with the book (can you say Calendar Time!), and an activity guide. Oh, yes, yes, yes, I'll have to get this soon! ;)

This resource above we actually do have, and we've enjoyed it for a quite some time. Take Your Hat Off When the Flag Goes By is a CD (and book, but we don't use the book) that's a musical introduction to the Constitution for little ones! A boy and his family go to an Independence Day parade, and his parents explain our government and freedoms to him as the floats pass by. And the songs are really catchy! I highly recommend this if your family enjoys audios (like ours!).

So, as this important day in our country's history comes to a close, I am reminded to make a conscious effort to educate my girls not only in facts and figures, but in the principles and values that make America great. If they do not know their freedoms, they won't know when they're taken away. 

God bless the USA.