THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER.
It is not a painted rag; it is a lohole national history. — Beecher.
The St. Nicholas flasr will sugfffest many interesting exercises. If possible a large
With primary pupils give a few leading facts connected with the history of the colony represented by the first stripe and, when they can state them, color the stripe /'K with crayon ; then take the second, continuing until pupils can give the facts of all the colonies represented by the stripes.
^ A flag might also be made upon heavy cardboard or pasteboard and the stripes cut out. Then have a fiag-building exercise, letting pupil take a stripe, tell what he can concerning the colony, and place it in its proper order. Whatever method is used, study the work in connection with the large United States map.
Use also pictures, history stories, patriotic poems and songs. Many incidents, catch-words, and associative facts will help pupils to remember the order of the “star-states.” For example, Vermont, first “ star-state:” Kentucky and Tennes- see the “neighbor states.”
Take next the six “see-saw” states, first a northern, then a southern. Explain the jealousy of the north and south, how they were like selfish children, each afraid the others would get the advantage. Associate with Maine, the “Pine Tree State,” the thought of lumber for the many buildings necessary in the growing country; with Missouri, the slavery question and Missouri compromise; with Michigan, the “home state ” idea; with California, the “Golden State,” the discovery of gold and consequent excitement, contrasting with the Klondike of today; with Kansas, the central location, giving an idea of the vastness of our country.
Finally, let every lesson teach that for which the flag stands. Emphasize the growth, or rather the groicimj together, of the colonies and territories up to the present, complete union. Then teach our “ E pluribus unum ” and its significance. (The St. Nicholas flag, hy 1714 inches, can be procured for ten cents of the Century Pub- lishing Co., New York.)
’Tis the star-spangled lianner! Oh, long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! — Francis Bcott Key.
