About Our Flag – A Unique Americanism Program by Elks
2024 Program
To promote Americanism for 5th Grade history students, Cahaba Valley Elks developed and coordinated an About Our Flag program. A 30-minute historic presentation done by members was coordinated with teachers to be associated with the students’ unit on the Founding of America. The patriotic sessions were presented to Oak Mountain Intermediate and Pelham Ridge. Approximately 350 students participated. (Pictured are Howard Prater teaching OMIS Student)
The Elks USA booklet “About Our Flag” was used as a reference resource for the discussion of Flag Facts and Proper Etiquette. During the presentation Lodge members used a presentation lesson guide and fill-in-the-blank quiz to assist students with the review of the booklet content. At the end of the presentation each student and teacher were given a small US Flag lapel pin. Students were encouraged to share their Flag booklet and tell family members what they had learned about their Nation’s Flag. Funding for the purchase of lapel pins and supplemental patriotic books for the library were provided by member donations totaling $300. Additional funds was provided by the Grand Lodge Gratitude Grant. (Pictured are Ann Curry and Delaney Ponder assisting Pelham Ridge Student Ann Curry)
Pelham Ridge Principal Lisa Baxter,
PERs Liz and Delane Ponder
and PER Delane Ponder
The program was written and provided by past Exalted Ruler Ron Stone, Past Exalted Rulers Howard Prater and Delane Ponder. Members Norma Rogers and Ann Curry, retired educators, along with Secretary Leon Johnson and Treasurer Bob Shinpaugh assisted students during the program.
2023 Program
The Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge in Alabama conducted a unique Americanism presentation program for fifth graders at Helena Intermediate and Pelham Ridge Elementary Schools. Four different Elks delivered the “About Our Flag” presentation twelve times to complete the program with a total of four hundred and fifty (450) students. Nineteen history teachers welcomed the Elks to deliver these presentations.
Each student received a copy of the Elks USA About Our Flag booklet and a ten-question fill-in-the-blank quiz. Each Elk presenter opened their presentation by briefly explaining who the Elks are and our history of supporting our Flag, our country, our communities – including schools- and our Veterans. During the 30-minute presentation the Elk presenter discussed facts about our flag, how our flag was born, when and how to display our flag, and how to care for our flag. (pictured are Howard Prater and Pelham Ridge_5th graders)
Throughout the presentation, Elks prompted students to find answers to the quiz questions in their About Our Flag booklet and raise their hand to be called upon for the answer. This approach got all students involved in using the booklet and they were excited to answer the questions. To get as many students involved as possible, Elks called on different students for answers.
At the end of presentations, Elks suggested to students they should “pass on the learning” by sharing the About Our Flag booklet with members of their family and ask them to answer “fill-in-the-blank” questions on the quiz. Students were also given a small US Flag lapel pin with a suggestion to give it to a Veteran with a “thank you for serving our country”.
Elks involved in the program were Leading Knight Ron Stone, PER/Esquire Howard Prater, PER/Secretary Howard Johnston, and ER Sharon Gaydon. Ron Stone coordinated the program, developed the quiz, and developed a lesson plan guide to ensure a consistent presentation by each Elk. To get this program accepted by the schools, Elks promoted it prior to the school year to Supervising history teachers Ken Ard at Helena Intermediate and John Vincent at Pelham Ridge. Both were excited to take the program forward during the school year. The kids loved the program and even asked a lot of questions about our Flag. (Pictured are Howard Prater, John Vinvent, Ron Stone)