Holiday Helps

4th of July

Are you looking for some interesting ideas to help you and your family celebrate this Independence Day? Within the resources listed below, you are sure to find something made to order, whether you are taking the summer off and are looking for some crafts or you are homeschooling year round and are looking for some fun unit ideas.

• Get started at Annie’s 4th of July Page where you will find an exploration of what “freedom” and “independence” really mean - all from a Christian perspective.
• You’ll find more information about “freedom” and “independence” at The Perkins Family web site where they have put together a Fourth of July Unit Study. A full week of interesting lessons and activities which include investigating the people and places of the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution.
• Cindy Downes has also put together a 4th of July Unit - a “short” one that children can do themselves - with games, biographies, stories, virtual tours, crafts and an online quiz.
• Learn about the History of the Fourth.
• Read America’s Freedom Documents: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
• Trace the chronology and story of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.
• There were 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, 39 of which signed the constitution. “The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention were a distinguished body of men who represented a cross section of 18th-century American leadership. Almost all of them were well-educated men of means who were dominant in their communities and states, and many were also prominent in national affairs. Virtually every one had taken part in the Revolution; at least 29 had served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command.” You can read the biographies of America’s Founding Fathers.
• The Declaration was adapted and the Constitution debated at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
• “Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.” You can learn the history of the Liberty Bell and the role it played in proclaiming liberty throughout the land.
• You can read the tale of Betsy Ross and the American Flag - how it came to be that she was called upon by a committee of the Continental Congress to sew the first flag.
• While George Washington preferred a six-pointed star on the flag, Betsy Ross recommended the five-pointed star. You can make your own 5-Pointed Star in One Snip!
• As we fly our flags this 4th of July, it might be a good time to brush up on our Flag Rules and Regulations. This site provides a step-by-step animation of how to properly fold the flag.
• Read President George W. Bush’s 2006 Independence Day Proclamation.
• No July 4th would be complete without fireworks! You can Create Your Own Fireworks - complete with music.
• Enchanted Learning offers many varied July 4th Crafts and Activities.
• Other crafts you might enjoy include Star-Spangled Wavers, a simple 4th of July Heart cross stitch, or an ambitious Musical Stars and Stripes chime.
• Your children will love making (and eating) this beautiful Fourth of July Cake.
• Are you ready to see how much your family knows about The Road to Revolution? “Test your knowledge about the American Revolution, and see if you can navigate your way to independence. Every correct answer gets you closer to liberty!”
• “By tradition Congress convenes its sessions with opening prayers, one each for the House and Senate. Most prayers are spiritual, reflective, and tend to focus on, for example, the need for heavenly guidance for the work Congress is about to tackle. Independence Day prayers are somewhat different in that they have included topical commentary and perspective-based sentiments regarding the Declaration of Independence and the country’s patriots.” You can read a sampling of these Congressional Prayers for the Fourth of July.
• As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us remember our freedom through Christ Jesus who has set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. - 2 Corinthians 3:17