Book Outline
Edward Mooney, Jr., Teacher, California, USA
UPDATED: November 14, 2000
Summary and Contents
Flag use in a classroom can be educational in many ways, and can be used as a cultural outreach device. In this book lessons on the topics of flag history, design, colors, and usage are covered, as well as ways the flags can be used to reach out to students of various grade levels and cultures.
Introduction
[3 pages]This book offers a look at the power of flags in people’s lives, at national identity and flags, and at the ability to communicate educational concepts using flags.
Chapter 1: Flags as a focal educational tool
A Flag is a history textbook...a lead into the past..
In the USA, the Stars and Stripes signify the national origins, as does the Mexican flag, which symbolizes the end of wanderings for the Aztecs.
A Flag is a cultures textbook...a lead into the society of a people.
The flag of Great Britain represents the diversity of peoples, and the Irish flag symbolizes a hope for peace. A study of cultural traditions begins with flags...such as Norway's May 17th, and the Fourth of July in the USA.
A Flag is a philosophy textbook...a lead into government and ideals.
The red, white and blue of Norway find their roots in the flags of the USA, France and Great Britain, in the ideals of Liberty. Red in China represents the principles of revolutionary communism
A Flag is a geography textbook...a lead into maps and location.
The flag of Cyprus is simply a map of the country, while the flag of Canada is symbolic of the geography of the country.
Chapter 2: Flags as a supportive educational tool.
This chapter explores how one could use flags to illustrate the passage of time, governments, peoples, and the awarding of such recognition as the Olympic medals, and the Nobel prizes.
Chapter 3: Flag use in education, by subject
Ideas and suggestions for using flags in specific subjects, including World History, World Geography, Political Science, English, Foreign Languages, Music, Science, Physical Education
Chapter 4: Flag use in education, by grade level
Ideas and suggestions for using flags in specific grade levels, including elementary school, middle school, high school and college.
Chapter 5: Sample educational activities
This chapter focuses on non-academic use of flags, for cooperative learning activities, rainy day activities, and just for fun! They can be used for team identity, flag identification games, flag spotting games, and for understanding the complex workings of a country. One example cited is the worldwide phenomena called ImagiNations, or “building your own country”.
Chapter 6: Flags as an outreach tool
A flag can connect a native born student to his or her immigrant parent, and can help draw an uncomfortable non-native parent into class involvement.
Chapter 7: A discussion of national flag origins
In this chapter the types of national flags are discussed, along with their meanings.
Chapter 8: Flag resources on the web
This chapter provides a pointer to the largest compendium of flags, Flags of the World. In addition, resources such as the Flag Detective, MiniFlags, the Flag Report, and the Flag Teacher are explained.
Conclusion
[2 pages]
Available Early 2001. Email: Mooney@Instruction.com
“Flag Teacher“, Flag Teacher logo, “Flags in Education”
© 2000 Edward Mooney, Jr.