February 15^th - National Flag Day

Introduction

In 1964, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson formed a committee to find a flag that would represent Canada and replace the Canadian Red Ensign (a variation of a British merchant marine flag which featured the Union Jack in the corner).

Over 4,000 submissions were received from all walks of life and after consideration, the red and white maple leaf was chosen. On December 17^th, Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the maple leaf as the official flag of Canada.

It was raised for the first time on February 15^th, 1965 on Parliament Hill. Since 1996, National Flag Day has been recognized every February 15^th.

More information about Canada’s history regarding its national flag can be found here.

Activity Bursts

K-2 - Social Studies, Music

Ask students to describe Canada’s flag (or draw it).

Prior to February 15^th, send a memo to all classes, asking students to wear red and white, if possible, to represent our Canadian colours. Invite students to include an item of clothing that represents their heritage, if they wish.

Rehearse the singing of “O Canada” and involve all classes in singing and recording the event. Here are a number of options that might be a fun way to celebrate Canada:

• Go to the gym or all-purpose room if you have one and join hands to sing the national anthem.
• If there is snow, consider making a huge Canadian Flag in the snow and standing around it to sing the anthem.
• Does someone know how to translate the national anthem into sign language? Reach out to parents and the community. 

Watch this short video for inspiration!

After recording the event, consider uploading it to “Hometown Proud” here.

You may wish to extend the video by interviewing children of all ages and asking them what they love most about Canada. Share at an assembly and a parent evening!

3-5 - Social Studies, Art

Review the history of the Canadian Flag above. Ask the students:

• Why do you think it was important for Canada to have its own flag? Discuss.
• If you could list the best things about living in Canada, what would they be? Work with a partner. Share.

Remind students that the Canadian flag represents our pride in being Canadian. When people see this flag, we want them to know immediately that it belongs to Canada.

Arrange students in small groups and have them brainstorm what is important or special about their Canadian school. Post, share, and add new ideas.

Have students work individually or in small groups to create a flag that would represent all the good things about their school. Remind them to select colours, images, icons, or slogans that they feel represent their school.

Create the flags digitally if possible. When the flags are complete, vote on the 4 or 5 that the class feels represent their school best and post them in the lobby for a final schoolwide vote. Consider having someone (perhaps a parent volunteer?) sew and hang your new flag!

Process and connect the activity to National Flag Day by asking:

• Why do you think that pride in your school and pride in your country are important? Discuss.
• Now that you have created and selected a school flag, what are your thoughts about how difficult it must have been to create a flag that represents all the good things about a big country like Canada? Talk about it.

Try this website to create your flag as a class.

6-8 - History, Research, Critical Thinking

Explain to students that selecting a flag to represent Canada was no easy task. In fact, it took over a century for Canada to get a flag we could call our own. There were many suggestions and many submissions but the “flag debate” was a long, drawn-out affair. As a class, view the following video.

Invite students to view some of the flag designs that did not make the cut found here.

Have students work individually or in small groups to design a Canadian flag that they feel would represent Canada as they see it today. Post the designs and invite students to share the reasoning behind their design choices and their impressions of their fellow artists’ flags. 

References:

http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1449158599459

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