Patriotism

Patriotism is important to all of us no matter where we live or what country.  There are 2 great songs in the Primary Songbook about patriotism. 

"My Country," p. 224, gives a message of being proud or who we are and where we live.  It is also perfect for including children from different countries.  Use a world map to locate where some of the children's ancestors are from.  Then show the flag of that country.  You could also point out where missionaries from your ward are serving and show that flag.

"My Flag, My Flag," p. 225, expresses pride for our flag.  Before teaching this song, find flags (or pictures of them) from countries where some of the children's ancestors are from or from where missionaries in your ward or stake are serving.

Both songs are quite easy to teach one phrase at a time.

My Flag, My Flag

Every country has a flag.  They all represent a love of country.  "My Flag," p. 225 can be sung in any country to celebrate patriotism.   The children will enjoy standing and singing this song for any country's patriotic celebrations.

Find a picture or a small flag from the countries where your ward, branch or stake have missionaries serving.  Show each flag and tell which missionaries are serving there.

• Sing the first 2 1/2 lines of the song.
• Sing it again and ask the children to listen for words or phrases that are repeated.  ("my flag" - 4 times and "my county's flag" 2 times)
• Were there rhyming words?  (wave and brave)
• Sing it with the children
• Sing the last 2 1/2 lines of the song.
• Sing it again and ask the children to listen for words or phrases that are repeated.  ("wave on" - 4 times and "forever" 2 times)
• Were there rhyming words? (Free and liberty)
• Sing it with the children
• Sing the whole song a few times with the children

My Flag, My Flag

Every country has their own flag.  "My Flag," p. 225, is a great song for any country!  The repetition makes this song easy to teach and fun to sing.  When you look at the words in "poem" style, you can see the repetition and rhymes.

My flag, my flag, my country's flag,
I love to see you wave;
My flag, my flag, my country's flag,
The banner of the brave.

Wave on, wave on forever,
The banner of the free;
Wave on, wave on forever,
The banner of the free;

The flag of liberty.

The children will need to hear the melody several times, so sing 2 lines at a time a few times then go to the next 2 lines.  It helps if you can move your hand with the melody so the children can see when the melody goes up or down.

Find pictures or actual flags of different countries and see if the children can identify which countries they represent.  Missionaries that you know may have one from the country they served in that you might borrow.

My Country

Regardless of the country that you live in, patriotism is important.  The Primary Songbook  has 2 great songs about showing patriotism - p. 224 and 225.  Once the children know these, they will become favorites.

"My Country" p. 224

• Sing the song for the children
• Tell them that countries all over the world have different landscapes:
• mountains
• deserts
• icebergs
• Sing the first verse then ask them to sing with you.
• Ask: What kind of landscape do we have here where we live?
• What other landscapes does this song mention?
• Did you hear any rhyming words? pride - wide, bound - found
• Sing the second verse
• Ask the children to share what this verse talks about.
• Can it apply to any country? Why?
• Sing it with the children.  Listen for rhymes.
• Sing the whole song a few times

My Flag, My Flag

Any nationality can enjoy singing "My Flag," p. 225.  The United States celebrates its independence soon.  This is a great song to learn and it's quite easy.

Begin by singing it through for the children to hear.

• Sing the first 2 1/2 lines
• Ask the children how many times you sang "my flag?"  (6)
• Ask them to sing it with you, then ask what the two rhyming words are.  (wave and brave)
• Sing the 2 lines again
• Sing the last 2 1/2 lines
• Ask the children how many times you sang "wave on?"  (4)
• Ask them to sing it with you, then ask what the two rhyming words are. 
• (free and liberty)  
• Sing the 2 lines again
• Sing the whole song
• Tell the children that there are two phrases that are repeated in the song.  Ask if anyone can guess what one or both of the phrases are.
• Sing the song again
• Ask the children if this song can be sung in any other country.  (yes! It celebrates patriotism!)

Gather flags or pictures of flags where missionaries are serving in your branch, ward or stake and wave the flags as your sing.

Patriotism

Every year I try to sing about patriotism.  In the Children's Songbook, p. 224, is a great song for any nationality.  I have picture prompts of a desert, mountains with pine trees, snowy landscape or an iceberg, and a heart for the first verse.  The second verse, I have a picture of a crown, a heart with the word "country" in the middle and the words "honest and free."   This is easy to teach with the picture helps.  If time and space permit, obtain your country's flag and have the children march around the room (or outside) singing this song several times.

My Flag

It's very important that children gain a love for their country.  "My Flag, My Flag," p. 225, is a great song to teach them.  The words are simple to teach and you can draw parallel to the Book of Mormon story of "The Title of Liberty."  Have the children help retell the story then sing each phrase a few times.  Have the children tell how their flag makes them feel.