We are blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave! Not many people in the world are privileged to live in a country with such abundant liberty. But these freedoms came at a cost and they can easily slip through our fingers if we don’t work to protect them. Let’s help the next generation preserve the liberty they have been given by teaching them the history of its origin. Learn Why and How to Teach Your Kids About American Independence.
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Why Teach Your Kids About American Independence
It’s hard to watch it happen, but we are living in a time when the freedoms we have enjoyed for over 200 years are at risk. We have witnessed long-standing historical statues torn down and replaced. History textbooks are being rewritten to be “politically correct” so that if we compared them to original documents or letters of our founding fathers, they wouldn’t match. The focus in public education has shifted away from teaching about America’s greatness and her contribution to the world and instead focused on the mistakes that have been made in the past. Many conservative voices are being silenced in the public square and on social media. We see a double standard as people are threatened and arrested for praying outside abortion clinics yet others are permitted to terrorize and burn cities with little repercussion. Consequently, this is a time when the truth matters more than ever.
Why should we teach our kids the true story of American Independence? Because if they want to continue to long enjoy the freedoms bestowed on us from previous generations, they have to understand the foundations on which our liberty was built. They need to see how our forefathers worked to create a government with the type of balance of power that can prevent tyranny. And they must strive to maintain the same foundational principles of that structure.
Our founding fathers experienced the chains of tyranny. They risked their “lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor” so that they could establish for future generations a place where they could be free from an oppressive government. Free to worship, free to speak, free to assemble, free to establish business, and free to pursue their dreams. Shouldn’t we do the same?
“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of and which no other people on earth enjoy.”
Thomas Jefferson
“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never!
Abraham Lincoln
At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reaches us, it must spring up from amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.“
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How To Teach Your Kids About American Independence
Here are some of the ways I have found to teach our kids about our American history. Maybe they will help give you some ideas!
#1 Read Books
One of the best ways to read the true story of American Independence is to find quality books that tell it through dialogue and beautiful illustrations. Read these books in short chunks of time every day leading up to Independence Day or read them throughout the year! Here are some of our favorites.
Picture Books
The 4th of July Story by Alice Dagliesh
And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz
Can’t You Make Them Behave, George? by Jean Fritz
Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz
Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz
Chapter Books
Whatever Happened to Justice? by Richard Mayberry
Rush Revere and the American Revolution by Rush Limbaugh
Rush Revere and the Star Spangled Banner by Rush Limbaugh
Rush Revere and the First Patriots by Rush Limbaugh
Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Chapter 8 “Fourth of July”
#2 Patriotic Songs
Learn songs that specifically tell the story of the American Revolution or that have been traditionally sung throughout for several decades. Not a singer? Play them on Apple Music or wherever you listen to music. Here are a few of our favorites. We also like to play the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine, and Navy songs.
The Star Spangled Banner
America the Beautiful
My Country Tis of Thee
The Grand Old Flag
God Bless America
God Bless the USA
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash
#3 Memorize and Read Original Documents
I was really surprised when I was reading a chapter in one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books to read that Laura and Mary (as well as other pioneer children, presumably) had memorized the Declaration of Independence. When they walked to town for the Independence Day celebration, the spokesperson solemnly read the declaration as a part of the festival. What a great way to remind people year after year of the history of the country and the cost of liberty.
Declaration of Independence
Preamble to the Constitution
Bill of Rights
Pledge of Allegiance
Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Another idea is to listen to famous historical speeches. You can find some of these by searching for “speeches” on Ambleside Online.
#4 Field Trips to Historical Sights
One of the best ways to teach kids about our history is to take them on field trips! Have your family vacation double as a history lesson by spending a day visiting local historical sights. Visit George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon or Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello. Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston. Our kids recently were able to take a trip to Philadelphia where they saw the Betsy Ross house, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell. What local attractions are available to you?
Leave a Comment!
What would you add to this list? Why do we need to teach our children about American Independence? Do you have additional resources or more ideas about how to do this? Share them by commenting below!
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Hi, I’m Sheri! I am a Christian saved by grace, married to my high school sweetheart, and a thankful mom to ten incredible kids. I’m a former public school teacher who never thought I would someday be a homeschool mom! Drawing on 13+ years of homeschooling experience, follow along to find help for getting started, tried and true homeschooling advice, life skills learning, simple Morning Time ideas, and interviews with everyday homeschool moms just like you!
These are such great resources! Thank you, I can trust these resources based off of how you described the importance of teaching Independence day to our children!