Educators often bemoan the so-called learning gap that followed the upheaval to schooling in 2020, but the real learning gap will occur if the watershed events and social shifts of the early 2020s are not integrated into school instruction and learning. For today's learning to be relevant to today's students, it must reflect their lives and the…

In elementary classrooms, teaching immigration often begins and ends at Ellis Island--without discussions of racist migration policies or engagement with current issues. Although contemporary immigration is rarely discussed with elementary students, the number of young people from immigrant and/or refugee backgrounds in the U.S. continues to rise.…

This manuscript provides a historical and pedagogical framework for American educational and sociopolitical responses after national tragedies (e.g., Pearl Harbor, 9/11). Moreover, this research explores the overt xenophobic and ethnocentric tendencies (exacerbated by media forums) after these events, which triggered resurgence in a sort of…

In this article, the author opines that modernist and especially postmodernist irony has gone beyond its traditional satirical function of deflating falsehood and exposing pretense. Because of certain historical complexities, irony has evolved in such a way that it has become the enemy of genuine open-mindedness. Among some American intellectuals,…

Many young students are unfamiliar with key symbols of the United States and the ideals that these symbols represent. These symbols consist of images and words that adults know by heart, but too often take for granted. The lesson activities described in this article focus on four well-known symbols--their history and what they mean to American…

This collection of tried-and-true ideas from real music teachers all over the United States can help teachers who are looking for new ways to bring "The Star-Spangled Banner" and other patriotic tunes into their music programs. More than 100 music teachers describe how they connect patriotic music with historical events, help students…

This study compares the music taught and its associated cultural values in Shanghai and Taipei primary and secondary schools. Both owe their cultural ascendancy to traditional Chinese music and western musicology. How do the music education systems of these two Chinese communities reflect their respective public cultures and political ideologies?…

This textbook may be used as a supplementary text in history and English classes, or as an independent text. The selections, taken from a wide variety of sources, constitute a body of patriotic literature that will not fail to appeal to boys and girls to whom love of country, in these stirring times, is becoming a very real thing. The study helps…

Materials and activities for teaching about patriotism, the American flag, and the Pledge of Allegiance are offered in this compilation of articles taken from issues of "Grade Teacher" (Feb. 1952, Jun. 1954, Feb. 1958, Jun. 1960, Jun. 1962, Sep. 1971), and "Instructor" (Jun. 1962, Feb. 1975, Feb. 1983), magazines. The…

The word "patriotism" summons up a wide range of images, but true patriotism goes beyond special occasions and special people. Do young people know what living as a patriot means? What obligations does a citizen owe to the United States? What opportunities does the country give to him or her? The lessons in this booklet can help students…

Describes a writing assignment that uses the song "America the Beautiful" to point the following six reasons why America is beautiful: skies, mountains, grain, Pilgrims, heroes, and dreams. (NKA)

Kansas Public Schools are required by state law to have a program of patriotic exercises that includes instructions relating to flag etiquette, use, display, recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance," and observance of legal holidays. The Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) has prepared this booklet as a resource for schools to develop…

In kindergarten, students learn the symbols of the alphabet and numeric symbols. This unit is designed to help students understand what patriotic symbols are and that the nation and the state have symbols and icons to represent thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical objects. Exposure to different national and state symbols helps students…

Presents an annotated bibliography of nine items from the ERIC database on the subject of patriotism. Includes articles on such topics as Americanism, citizenship education, and environmentalism. Explains how to obtain copies of the documents. (SG)

Two major efforts to redirect the school curriculum that are currently of special concern, not only to educators but to the general citizenry as well, are citizenship education and international or global education. Both deal with the development of competent and responsible citizens whose perspectives, knowledge, and skills will enable them to…