Materials
red construction paper
tongue depressor
black or white marker
masking tape
fluorescent vest or crossing guard vest/jacket/belt
Instructions
1. Read the children America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates and Neil
Waldman. After reading the book, discuss with the children the beautiful places
in America that the book mentions.
2. Show the children an American flag and
talk with the children about what the
symbol means. Explain that the children
live in a community, and that everyone
in that community needs to respect
one another, which means loving and
respecting the community.
3. Sing the following song with the children:
You Are My Country by Susan Oldham Hill
(Tune: "You Are My Sunshine")
You are America,
You are my country;
Where I live and where I belong.
I love your cities; I love your hillsides:
And that's why I am singing this song.
I see your flag fly against the white clouds;
I see the stars shine against the blue;
You are America,
You are my country.
And I'm singing this song out to you.
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
1. Can the children explain generally what a community is and why it is important?
2. Can the children sing the song?
