https://youtu.be/BuaWxviAoDc

VIRTUAL PARADE AND SINGALONG!

Parades are back, but our Virtual Parade and Singalong doubles the fun by letting you celebrate whenever you feel like it!

Click HERE on July 4th (or any day!) to join The Civic Circle's Virtual Parade and Singalong! And check out or Kid Fun Kit resources below, for July 4 activities you can do all day long.

Before you join the parade, get ready! Wear something red, white or blue (or all three!) grab your flag or shaker, and print out the song sheets below! Gather the whole family, and plan your route, inside or outside!

SING, SING, SING!

Click HERE to upload Song Sheets to Sing Along!

America the Beautiful

Some people think America the Beautiful should be the U.S. national anthem. Do you agree? Visit Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government HERE to learn about this timeless song.

Some people also think America the Beautiful is due for some new lyrics and verses. Do you agree? Come up with your own verse to America the Beautiful, send it to info@theciviccircle.org, and we’ll post it on our website. Also see some verses other people have written, and submit your “America the Beautiful” verse to the “O Beautiful for …” project HERE.

Down by the Riverside

Down by the Riverside is an African American Spiritual that dates back before the Civil War, and has often been sung at anti-war, civil rights and anti-discrimination protests.

Watch Raffi sing "Down by the Riverside" HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm3Q3wec4Kc&feature=youtu.be

Watch this "Playing for Change" version of "Down by the Riverside" HERE.

https://youtu.be/nQ1gHm8v3ek

How are they different? Which do you like better? Write your own verse to “Down by the Riverside,” staring with “I’m going to …” What would you do to advance peace? Send your verse to info@theciviccircle.org, and we will post it.

This Little Light of Mine

“This Little Light of Mine” is a gospel song also often sung at civil rights protests, but it was written as a children’s song in 1920 by Harry Dixon Loes.

Read the whole story of “This Little Light of Mine” and its role in the civil rights movement HERE.

Folksinger Pete Seeger learned the song from civil rights activist Zilphia Horton and made it famous. Watch Seeger sing it HERE.

https://youtu.be/J9PMdXOODeQ

A few years back, a little boy named Caleb Serrano made a hit with his version. Watch Caleb HERE.

https://youtu.be/4BLDEIFCL4M

Listen to several other versions of “This Little Light of mine" HERE.

Write your own verse to “This Little Light of Mine.” Where do you want your light to shine? Send your verse to info@theciviccircle.org, and we will post it on our website.

This Land is Your Land

Folksinger Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land is Your Land” in the 1940s, a time when a lot of people were poor and out of work in America.

Watch and sing HERE in this singalong version of "This Land is Your Land!"

https://youtu.be/rRnHx3yVuf4

Watch one of our favorite Spanish language versions by Sonia De los Santos HERE.

https://youtu.be/kdzI5sXxGXY

Write your own verse to “This Land is Your Land.” Start with “When I was walking …” and take it from there. How will your song tell the story of America? Send your verse to info@theciviccircle.org, and we will post it.

FLAG THIS!

Why July 4th?

On July 4, 1776, the nation's founders signed the Declaration of Independence. They wanted to create a new kind of government, where the people had more say. Read all about it, at Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government, HERE.

Why the American Flag?

We see our nation's flag everywhere on July 4th. But what do you really know about the flag? What did it look like originally? Learn the whole story HERE.

Color or Create Your Own Flag!

Download your printable coloring page HERE.

Get a piece of printer or other paper, and create your own flag! What symbols and colors will it use? Let your flag tell a story! Send it to us at info@theciviccircle.org.

The Star Spangled Banner

Watch below for the whole story about how Francis Scott Key wrote our national anthem during the War of 1812.

https://youtu.be/iiVryYnzmdI

Watch below for one of our favorite renditions of the National Anthem, sung by Boyz II Men earlier this year.

https://youtu.be/Lhd0Afq9yw0

African American artists, who have experienced how discrimination tainted the promise of freedom, have often reinterpreted the National Anthem. Watch jazz pianist Jon Batiste's reinterpretation here.

https://youtu.be/UtNGFmaPKQo

Batiste has said he was inspired by Jimi Hendrix, who was one of the first African American music stars to reinterpret the National Anthem. Watch below.

https://youtu.be/MwIymq0iTsw
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock

PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!

Scavenger Hunt

Hunt down in your home objects (scarves, toys, clothes), that are red, white and blue. Put them together in a creative way. Take a photo of your creation and send it to us at info@theciviccircle.org, and we will post it! While you're at it, create a patriotic outfit for yourself!

July 4 Crossword Puzzle

Print out your July 4th Crossword Puzzle HERE. Be a good citizen, and turn over the Answer Page until you are done!

Get Crafty!

https://youtu.be/sgaB4487FDs
Jessica Tull
https://youtu.be/ez4Xxcx3Uv0
The Purple Alphabet
https://youtu.be/FxacIIvt4u4
Cassie Diamond

Read-Aloud Corner

What Can a Citizen Do?

https://youtu.be/wzfk5xib-DU
By Dave Eggers, Art by Shawn Harris

I Am America

https://youtu.be/KOLpoOqFVqI
Charles R. Smith Jr. Reads His Book

July 4th Challenge! Grades 3-5

Download our July 4th Challenge HERE! Top ten winners will be posted on our website!

Thank you for joining The Civic Circle on Independence Day!

To stay in touch with us, sign up HERE.