Ag in the American Flag -

Time: 30 minutes

Big Idea: Learn how agriculture contributes to making the American flag while creating your own mini felt flag.

What You’ll Need:

Part 1. Start with Agriculture Talk

Ask: “Where do you think the materials for the American flag come from?”
Explain that cotton cloth comes from the cotton plant, wool thread comes from sheep, and natural dyes were often made from plants and flowers like indigo or beets.

Part 2. Cut Out the Stripes

Assemble the Stripes

Alternate red and white strips by placing the red stripes on the whole piece of white felt evenly spaced apart. glue them down once they are in the right spot.
As you go, count the 13 stripes and talk about what they represent (the original 13 colonies).

Create the Canton (Blue Rectangle)

Cut a blue rectangle to fit in the top-left corner of the stripes.
Talk about how blue dye once came from the indigo plant, which farmers used to grow in early America.

Add the Stars

Stick or glue on 10 white stars (instead of 50), or draw them with chalk or a fabric marker.
Discuss that the stars represent each state—and that wool thread, used for embroidery, comes from sheep raised on farms.

Finish It Up

Discussion Topics:

Hand out or create a small “Ag in the Flag” card where kids can write or draw:

Agriculture is part of everyday life—even in our nation’s flag

Ag in the American Flag