Download PDF Packet Here
READ the Fine Print!
June 29- July 4
John Adams, speaking about Independence Day, said, “It ought to be commemorated… with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports…bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forward forever more.” President Adams, we think you are correct. We should! Let the party begin!
RESEARCH- Read a few books. Read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. Talk about what they mean to you and your family.
EXPLORE- How can you celebrate the 4th of July? Find ways you can make a difference in your home, your neighborhood, your school, and with your friends.
ACTIVITIES – Make your signature amazing. Cook with red, white, and blue foods. Throw your own parade. Learn about fireworks. Pick one!
DISCOVERY – What do you love about the 4th of July? What do you love about The United States? Can one person make a difference? Yes!
The Founding Fathers
The Founding Fathers is a title given to seven men who were instrumental in the fight for independence. Here are a few things you may not know about some of them.
George Washington – Wanted to serve in the Navy when he was 14 but his mom wouldn’t let him. Really loved dogs and mules. Was never seriously wounded in battle. An excellent dancer. Had terrible dental problems from cracking walnut shells with his teeth. Made Thanksgiving a holiday. Is on the quarter. No one will ever rank higher than him in the US military.
John Adams - First president to live in the White House. His wife hung their laundry to dry in the East Room. Was George Washington’s Vice President, a position he thought was boring and useless. Was a terrible dancer. Has no monument in Washington, D.C. Never owned a slave. Incredibly honest. Created the US Marine Band in 1798, the oldest US band.
Thomas Jefferson – Loved fossils and has a mammoth named after him. Loved French food and served it often. His favorites were macaroni and cheese, ice cream, and french fries. Is on the nickel. Had mockingbirds. His favorite, Dick, would sing while Jefferson played his violin. Grew tomatoes and ate one at a dinner. People thought tomatoes were poisonous and were horrified.
James Madison – The shortest US president at 5’4”, and was usually under 100 pounds. The oldest of 12 kids. Was best friends with Thomas Jefferson but really didn’t like ‘Give me liberty or give me death’ Patrick Henry. If you have a bill with his face on it, you are indeed lucky. Madison was on the $5,000.00 bill.
Benjamin Franklin – was his dad’s 15th Had 2 years of school and read a lot! Invented swim fins out of wood, bifocal glasses, the Franklin stove, and the lightening rod. When helping design the seal for the US President the others wanted an Eagle, Franklin didn’t like Eagles and said they should use a turkey. Loved to play chess. Was one of the richest men in the country. Helped start some of the first libraries, colleges, and fire departments. Is on the $100.00 bill.
John Hancock’s John Hancock
Imagine being famous for your signature. John Hancock, the President of the Second Continental Congress, was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. We see his bold flourish on the engrossed copy, with all its swirls. Legend says that John wanted King George III to be able to see his signature without his glasses, or, even more nervy, for the king to see it clear across the Atlantic Ocean.
If the British had won the War for Independence, John and the other signers of the Declaration would have been tried for treason and killed.
John’s signature had an impact on both sides of the Atlantic. It made King George very angry, enough that when forgiveness was offered by the British, it excluded John. Paul Revere’s famous ride was, in fact, a trip to warn John that the British forces were coming after him and Samuel Adams. Patriots drew courage from his confidence to stand up and fight for freedom.
Hundreds of years later, because of his signature, we still use the phrase, “I’ll need your John Hancock here on the dotted line.” This week, why don’t you take a look at your signature? Does it need more dash? Swooshes? Whirls? Or simplifying? Play with your name and see what you come up with, your signature signature.
Was it easy to write with quills? Look at how beautiful the handwriting was. The official “fairly engrossed” copy, (meaning neatly written) of the Declaration was copied by Timothy Matlock, the congressional clerk. Is that a job you would enjoy? Try making a quill pen and ink and give it a try.
Make Your Own Parchment
Step 1: Cut a brown paper bag so it lies flat or use a piece of brown craft paper. Wad it up so it gets very wrinkly.
Step 2: Get it wet, not dripping water wet or nicely damp, but right in the middle wet. Squeeze the excess water out.
Step 3: Gently flatten the paper out flat. Cut or rip the paper into the size and shape you want.
Step 4: Using watered-down tempera paints, lightly brush on color around the edges, fading into the center, to help ‘age’ the paper. Play with different colors to see which ones you like best. Browns, golds, burgundy look really good.
Step 5: To dry the paper, set oven to 170 degrees. Place the paper on the oven rack and check often. It takes 5-10 minutes to fully dry.
Step 6: Use ink, paint, markers, crayons, or quill pen and ink and turn your parchment into a document, treasure map, pirate map, wanted poster, or anything!
Easy Ink
Put a handful of walnut shells in an old sock and bash them with a hammer. Pour the shells and dust into a pan with1¼ cups boiling water. Simmer for 30 minutes, adding water if needed to keep the shells from burning. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Pour water through a strainer. Add ¼ teaspoon vinegar and ¼ teaspoon salt to mixture. Use with a quill pen.
Fireworks!!!!!!
First, a message from my nephew, no-eyebrows Lyman. “Don’t mess with fireworks. Really. Don’t mess with them.” Thank you, no Eyebrows.
In 600-900 A.D., Chinese alchemists mixed chemicals together to make gunpowder, poured it into bamboo tubes and set off the first man-made fireworks. They became popular quickly. By the 15th century, fireworks were common at festivals and ceremonies across Europe. Ooh’s and aah’s became the universal language of firework explosions.
Firework tubes hold gunpowder and modules called “stars.” The stars are made of fuel, binders, oxidizers, and metal salts. The salts and oxides create the colors.
To see how different salts burn in different colors, try making Bonfire Firework cakes. They don’t explode but will turn colors in a fire. Try them in a fire pit. Do not cook over colored fire.
Bonfire Firework Cakes
With pliers, bend the top rim of a gallon-sized metal can to make a pour spout. Add candle stubs, paraffin, and/or canning wax to can. Each cake will use 1/4 - 1/3 cup wax, so guestimate your wax with that in mind. Place can in a pan of boiling water. Turn heat down so the water stays at a simmer and the wax melts. Add 2-3 tablespoons of salt** to the melted wax. Use a paint stir-stick to mix in salts. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Pour wax into paper cupcake liners or a cardboard egg carton. Let cool.
Variation- dip pinecones into the melted wax. Dry on waxed paper.
Toss cakes or pinecones into an established, safely located fire.
**Salts. The type of salt you use will create different colored flames.
Green -- use Borax, found in the laundry aisle
Turquoise – use copper sulfate found in tree root killer from the hardware store
Orange – use sodium chloride/table salt
Purple – use potassium chloride/water softener salt
White – use Magnesium sulfate/Epsom salts
Starry T-Shirts
Take a plain, white t-shirt. Slide a piece of cardboard inside so the paint won’t bleed through to the backside.
For striped stars, cut several star shapes out of corrugated cardboard. Peel off the top layer to expose the ribbed layer on each star. Using fabric paints in red or blue, paint the ribbing. Firmly press the painted star against the t-shirt. Carefully lift the stars off. Let paint dry. Launder according to the paint manufacturer’s directions.
For dotted stars, cut stars out of an inexpensive household sponge. Follow the striped star instructions.
United States Flag
The first rules for the US flag stated that the flag must have a blue field, red and white stripes, and stars. They didn’t say where the field or stripes had to go or how many points the stars needed. People were very creative in making up their versions of the flag. In 1912, the official pattern was made. The field in the top left corner, stripes of red and white, and all of the stars were to be 5-pointed, in horizontal rows, with the top star point pointing up.
Our flag that Francis Scott Key wrote about was a little different. It had 15 stripes,15 stars, and was huge! The 30’ x 42’ flag flew over Fort McHenry. There are several beautiful videos telling the story of the night Key watched for the flag, relaying the message to the American prisoners below in the ship that the flag was still there. They are worth watching.
Construction Paper Flag
Materials Needed: In advance, draw stripes on a large paper and pre-cut red and white squares; provide glue
The children dip the papers into the glue and glue onto the pre-drawn rows -- remind them of the pattern: red, white, red, white
VARIATION: I've seen this done with liquid starch and red and white tissue paper--very pretty!
Festive Food Ideas
Red foods – tomatoes in all their glorious forms (sliced, chopped, cherry, enchilada sauce, spaghetti sauce, salsa, etc.), cherries, strawberries, raspberries, beets, chili peppers, bell peppers, watermelon, Jell-O, apples, red potatoes, radishes, red velvet cake, grapes, grenadine, pomegranates, BBQ sauce, bacon, red onion, hot dogs. Plus, there is always food coloring.
White foods – eggs, coconut, yogurt, Kefir, sour cream, cream cheese, cheeses, whipping cream, jicama, turnips, cauliflower, mayonnaise, pasta, nuts, gnocchi, potatoes, tortilla chips, marshmallows, pot stickers, ice cream, pork loin, merengue, chicken, turkey, pudding, milk, mushrooms, bananas, won ton wrappers, chick peas, beans, rice, white corn.
Blue foods – blueberries, blue corn, blue tortilla chips, blue potatoes, M&M’s, grapes (sorta), Jell-O, ice cream, and more food coloring. Try out the spray-on food mist. It’s great fun!
Red, White and Blue Combinations –
*Blueberry waffles with whipped cream and bacon.
*Potato salad with all three colors of spuds.
*Salad with feta cheese and berries.
*Strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream parfaits, trifle, torte, or crepes.
*Tortilla chips in white and blue with salsa.
*Ice cream cones dipped in white dipping chocolate and star sprinkles.
*Strawberries dipped halfway in white dipping chocolate and just the tip in blue sugar or edible glitter.
Especially for Preschoolers
Color a circle red. Walk through the house and find other things that are red.
Make cards with the numbers 1-10. Place the appropriate number or beans, cereal pieces, small candies, or game pieces on each number.
Fill 5-8 glasses with water, all at different levels. Gently tap each glass to hear the highs and lows.
Put an object in a paper bag or a pillowcase. Have them close their eyes and touch the object, then describe what they are feeling. Is it smooth, bumpy, furry, cold? Have them guess what it might be.
The Main Pleasant Grove 4th of July Events
Follow the Flag. Check their website.
Fireworks Show at Discovery Park (1435 N 100 E) on Saturday, July 4th. The show will begin at dark.
Concerts in the Park Featuring Bluegrass Thunder. July 5, 7:30, outside doors of the rec center at 547 S Locust Ave. bring a blanket, chairs, and treats.
Submit a Picture or a Message
At the end of the week, send us a picture or a message highlighting your favorite activity. One submission per family per week. Submissions are due by 5:00 pm Saturday, July 4. With your submission, your name will be entered in a drawing for a gift card to a local business. One prize will be awarded each week. Winners will be notified on Mondays. To be entered into the drawing you must email us your submission.
Tag us on Facebook and Instagram
#PGREADallaboutit
#WeREADyouloudandclear
Books and DVDs
Click here to put books or DVDs on hold
Early Reader Non-Fiction
The American Flag by Tristan Boyer Binns E History
The American Flag by Susan Henrichs Gray E History
The United States Constitution by Mari C. Schuh E History
Kids in Colonial Times by Lisa A. Wroble E History
Early Reader Fiction
Let's Go, Dear Dragon by Margaret Hillert E HIL
Red, White, and Blue and Katie Woo! by Fran Manushkin E MAN
Picture Non-Fiction
So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George PIC Caldecott St. George
Chickens May Not Cross the Road and Other Crazy (But True) Laws by Kathy Linz PIC Curiosity
We the Kids: the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow PIC History Government
What Presidents Are Made Of by Hanokh Piven PIC History Government
The House That George Built by Suzanne Slade PIC History Government
The Founding Fathers!: Those Horse-Ridin’, Fiddle-playin’, Book-readin’, Gun-totin’ Gentlemen Who Started America by Jonah Winter PIC History Government
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy PIC History US
Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley PIC History US
The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier PIC History US
Picture Fiction
Fourth of July Mice! by Bethany Roberts PIC ROB
Looking for Uncle Louie on the Fourth of July by Kathy Whitehead PIC WHI
Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong PIC WON
Junior Non-Fiction
The Bill of Rights by Roberta Baxter J History Government
The Declaration of Independence by Michael Burgan J History
Government
In Defense of Liberty: the Story of America’s Bill of Rights by Russell Freedman J History Government
Give Me Liberty!: the Story of the Declaration of Independence by Russell Freedman J History Government
The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George J History Government
The Bill of Rights by Marcia Amidon Lusted J History Government
The U.S. Constitution by Marcia Amidon Lusted J History Government
The Declaration of Independence by Mary Meinking J History Government
The U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and a New Nation by Steven Otifinoski J History Government
Constitutional Rights by Jill Sherman J History Government
The Declaration of Independence by Elizabeth Raum J History Revolutionary
Let's Bake Fourth of July Treats! by Ruth Owen J Holiday
Junior Fiction
The Case of the July 4th Jinx by Lewis B. Montgomery J FIC MONTGOMERY Milo & Jazz #5
Fireworks at the FBI by Ron Roy J FIC ROY Capital #6
July Jitters by Ron Roy J FIC ROY Calendar #7
Websites to Visit
13 American Colonies | US History | Kids Academy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd0fMpAIs1s
The Constitution for Kids - Preamble https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8VHe0Jxh4U
The Constitution for Kids - Article 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJw564qLCQ8
The Constitution for Kids - Bill of Rights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P6E3Bpn5yw&list=PL7cVA_IOnNYN699i2ya6_mt6Fr0srFXE9&index=7
Schoolhouse Rock: America - I'm Just a Bill Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFroMQlKiag