The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.  ~ Jackie Robinson

Homeschoolers in Texas are required to teach a course on Citizenship. The law does not give specifics, so this leads to all types of interpretation.

According to dictionary.com, citizenship is:

the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen; the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen.

When I homeschooled my children I taught citizenship every year.  When they were small,  I taught them the Pledge of Allegiance and all the patriotic songs. You know, those classic songs, God Bless America, My Country Tis of Thee, You’re A Grand Old Flag, America the Beautiful and of course, The Star Spangled Banner.

I taught a little on the writer of the song and when the song was written and we sang these songs at the beginning of our school day. I bought a CD (am I aging myself?) that featured children’s patriotic songs and we would sing.

I would throw in some U.S geography, Bible and I constantly taught my kids the characteristics all good citizens possess such as kindness, courtesy, obeying the laws, the 10 commandments and the like.

As they got older, I taught a civics course every year.  One year I taught Texas history, another year I taught American history.  I taught about the election process every election cycle. I taught them about the rights and responsibilities we all hold dear as American citizens.

One thing I’ve noticed is that sometimes homeschooling moms are so caught up in the nuts and bolts of teaching and trying to complete the curriculum; getting it all done and we overlooking something as simple as our national heritage.

So moms, I encourage you to teach those songs to your kids, and if you don’t know them, you can learn right along side your kids. Teach them about our great nation and our founding fathers.

And while you’re at it, teach your children to pray for their elected officials and the issues that face our nation.

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

This blog post is part of a series on Sheparding Our Children Intellectually.  Pray Exodus 31:3 over your children:   “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.”