Alaska Mom Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soph the vet Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Yes, once a week and then we sing the National Anthem or My Country Tis of Thee or America the Beautiful or God Bless America so that my dc will learn these songs and learn to appreciate how truly unique our country is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 because of cubscouts. Eventually we will get a class flag and I'll bring dd in to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesloonybin Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Yes, every morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaKim Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 nt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket1178 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No, it is not part of our school routine, but I have taught it to dd and she can recite it. I think it is important to know as well as many patriotic songs, so I do teach those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No. I guess in our effort to not copy the ps system, I've allowed that one to go by the wayside. Maybe we'll start today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3lilreds in NC Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 You didn't include an "other" response! :lol: We haven't been reciting it because I honestly didn't think about it. Now that I think about it, though, we learned it at our co-op a couple of years ago. I'm sure they could recite it, or that they would pick it up again quickly. What a great idea, to do the Pledge and sing patriotic songs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Mom Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 You didn't include an "other" response! :lol: We haven't been reciting it because I honestly didn't think about it. Now that I think about it, though, we learned it at our co-op a couple of years ago. I'm sure they could recite it, or that they would pick it up again quickly. What a great idea, to do the Pledge and sing patriotic songs! I thought about an "Other", but couldn't think of any!! Do I need an "Other"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No. I make sure they know it and they say it at scouts when appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Yes everyday and we sing God Bless America. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Buckin' Longhorn Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No, but my son went to public school for a while so he may already know it. I never really thought about it, but I'm not going to worry about it, he knows a lot of other stuff, LOL. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I voted Yes, Plus we sing patriotic songs, because when the dc were little, this is what we did. After playing in bed all morning and reading stories aloud during breakfast, we needed a transition time into 'school'. I found that saying the pledge and marching around the house and singing patriotic songs with the dc playing rhythm instruments was a good way to rev their brains up, get rid of any excess energy, and since it was a consistent act they knew it was now 'study' time. Worked like a charm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No way. I love my country, so I won't engage in unconstitutional activity. Bill :patriot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PariSarah Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 . . . more than enough for me. I'd even be happy if they dropped it entirely. I like my country, and I have a thorough appreciation for the unique blessings of living in it (especially after having lived and traveled elsewhere), but I don't see the point of a daily liturgy of allegiance to it. I have other, more important, allegiances that I'd rather be affirming daily. Besides, Civics, U.S. History, and Theology and Ethics is where we deal with the relationship between Christian discipleship and good citizenship. The daily routine of being a law-abiding citizen is where we practice those things. Reciting the pledge of allegiance doesn't add anything that we aren't already covering, and better, elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey in TX Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Good question--I've never thought to do so. We do not say the Pledge of Allegiance, but they all know the words. We're a very American family (DH & I both served in military), so they understand the importance of our country even if we don't do the rote recitation of the Pledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in FL Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 We don't say it but my oldest (12) can recite it, middle one (7) knows part of it, youngest (4) doesn't know any of it. I do think it's important to know. We own a book that is the pledge with visual pictures letting the kids know exactly what they are saying. I recited it in school for years and never really knew what it was about. To me it's more important for the kids to know what they are saying than just be able to recite it. Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearrow Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My kids know the Pledge from being in Girl Scouts. I don't have anything against it - it's just not something I think about all that often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I taught my kids because I think it's culturally significant. But we don't say it as part of school. They have also learned patriotic and folk songs from our country's history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yslek Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I voted "no". Dh says it because he's serving in the military. I haven't said it in a long time because I don't see a good reason to do so. Also, parts of the pledge seem more idealistic than true ("with liberty and justice for all" for example...this has really bothered me ever since someone close to me was made the "fall guy" for a company engaged in unethical practices. It seems to be more about who has the big bucks for the good lawyers, unfortunately.) Neither of us are keen on teaching the pledge to our children. Deciding to pledge one's allegiance is, in our opinion, an adult decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom to Aly Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No way. I love my country, so I won't engage in unconstitutional activity. Bill :patriot: :iagree: These are the kinds of posts that most make me miss rep!!! Bill, I couldn't have said it better!!! And, for those who didn't know, the "God" part was added when the "Cold War" began--it was not in the original pledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) When we first started homeschooling, I taught the pledge. Now we only say it at Scouts. I grew up military, so this is hard for me... but the more I learn about this history of the pledge, the less comfortable I feel reciting it. And the more I think about the phrase "one nation, under God," the less comfortable I feel reciting it. And since I am uncomfortable with it, I can no longer teach it. My kids can make the choice for themselves when they are able to understand the potential ramifications of their choice. However, I have no problem teaching patriotic songs. Edited October 7, 2008 by Mama Lynx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) No...and yes, my husband, three of my parents (steps included), all my grandfathers, and many of my ancestors served. My children know what it is, they know the protocol, but we've rarely been in a position to practice it. Though I respect some of the idea of it, I have some concerns with it as well. And yes, there was one time where I refused to say the pledge (I was younger and it was a religious issue at the time). My stepfather exploded and he declared HE was what made the country what it was. That said it all for me right there and made the issue even more muddled for me. I respect our veterans and support our men serving. My issue is mainly with the words and with knowing how history is. Edited October 7, 2008 by mommaduck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My kids have heard it, but we don't recite it regularly and I doubt they could from memory. However, it's on my list to get to this year - I'm not planning to ever make it a part of our school day, but I would like them to know it by heart. They do know a huge number of patriotic songs, though.... :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyBlueLobsters Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No, and we won't either. My boys heard someone recite it once and my oldest asked why they were pledging their allegiance to something besides Christ. I couldn't agree with him more.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 When I threw up the Flag vs Christ issue to my grandmother, she brought up the Christian Flag...I explained that my allegiance is to Christ, to my family, and to my country (wherein so far as they/it doesn't cross my Christian convictions)...not to a piece of material. I'm fine with the symbolism, but my allegiance is to what that symbol is supposed to represent, not the symbol itself and not unconditionally (except to Christ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat19 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 We don't recite it here, but they know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in PA Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 We don't recite it here either. She will learn it in the context of history, including the changes to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I teach it to my children as a part of their memory work, so they all learn it in K or 1st grade, including standing with hand over heart. We chose to make it part of school because it's something that many people in our country know by heart, but we're not attached to it as anything more that that. We did have an interesting discussion about the "liberty and justice for all" bit at one point. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I love my country, I am patriotic, but no, we don't recite the pledge. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 When my dc were home, we didn't do school, so there was no official ceremony for starting the day (other than gettting out of bed:D). But when I taught in my little one-room school, you bet we started every day with the Pledge. My dc learned it because of other activities they were involved in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenpatty Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 We do this year, because we switched to Abeka DVDs. I had always wanted to have them recite it daily in the past, but struggled with being consistent. I love that they are saying the pledge everyday as well as learning patriotic songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No, and we won't either. My boys heard someone recite it once and my oldest asked why they were pledging their allegiance to something besides Christ. I couldn't agree with him more.... This is where I am at, too. My allegiance is to Christ. I love my country, but find the pledge a bit too much to swallow. My dc know it and can probably recite it, but we do not emphasize it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Occasionally, like when I remember, or dd reminds me- about once a week or so. We do it in English and Spanish, and it's posted on the wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 No way. I love my country, so I won't engage in unconstitutional activity. Bill :patriot: ah, but Bill -- a family saying the pledge isn't an unConstitutional activity: The Constitution is designed to limit what the Federal Gvt can require, not what parents or private schools/ organizations can require ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 When I threw up the Flag vs Christ issue to my grandmother, she brought up the Christian Flag...I explained that my allegiance is to Christ, to my family, and to my country (wherein so far as they/it doesn't cross my Christian convictions)...not to a piece of material. I'm fine with the symbolism, but my allegiance is to what that symbol is supposed to represent, not the symbol itself and not unconditionally (except to Christ). I don't really have a problem w/ pledges, as long as we are recognizing the whole definitions of words, not just a skewed idea of what those words mean: allegiance doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing thing. allegiance: 1 a: the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1): the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government (2): the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides 2: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause fidelity: 1 a: the quality or state of being faithful devotion: 2 a: the act of devoting <devotion of time and energy> b: the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal faithful: 2: steadfast in affection or allegiance : loyal 3: firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : conscientious 4: given with strong assurance : binding <a faithful promise> i can pledge allegiance to my spouse and still be a Child of God. I can be faithful to my atheist friend and still be a Child of God. i can pledge allegiance to any cause I want, and not feel like that allegiance needs to compromise my principles. If i am pledging allegiance "under God" then that is a key point in how my promise is expected to be filled. If i am pledging allegiance to a republic, that's another key word that defines what I expect my promise to apply to. If i am pledging allegiance to a nation w/ liberty and justice for all, then a nation that doesn't offer that doesn't get to be the recipient of my pledge of allegiance. There's a lot in the pledge that puts expectations on the cause/gvt receiving that pledge :D oh -- and allegiance and faithfulness don't need to be "at any cost" to be accurately represented. I think that especially w/ Christianity [and most other religions], there's sooo much more than "devotion and allegiance" that defines salvation. Allegiance is almost....too weak.... to describe one's relationship w/ God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 oh yeah -- and NO, we don't recite it as a ritual, but we do know it, discuss it, and study it quite a bit ;) and patriotic songs too :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Oops.:o guess I should really start. :patriot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I will teach it, as part of History, and all the changes made to it, once the children are reading well enough that they can read it for themselves. Since they are still learning to read and have so very much to learn right now, I don't think it's high on the list of priorities. I have one still trying to learn the days of the week in order, which I find far more practical and useful in daily life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamagistra Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 ...I like my country, and I have a thorough appreciation for the unique blessings of living in it (especially after having lived and traveled elsewhere), but I don't see the point of a daily liturgy of allegiance to it. I have other, more important, allegiances that I'd rather be affirming daily. Besides, Civics, U.S. History, and Theology and Ethics is where we deal with the relationship between Christian discipleship and good citizenship. The daily routine of being a law-abiding citizen is where we practice those things. Reciting the pledge of allegiance doesn't add anything that we aren't already covering, and better, elsewhere. :iagree: 100%. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I agree that I can pledge an allegiance to a person or a government. But it's not the blind, "say an allegiance to a FLAG". At one time the pledge and the flag were on equal terms...or rather the flag/banner would be subservient to the pledge/people. Now it's a blind "say these words" or you are not patriotic. I really believe that the two are separate issues and that pledges should be carefully worded. They were also something that was said once, not repeated over and over as though they held little meaning, kwim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jugglin'5 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I agree with PariSarah and Mommaduck. I don't like shibboleth tests. Plus, I have some trouble with the PoA's words itself. Is our nation really "indivisible"? Will it be exactly the same 1000 years from now? History would suggest "no". Also, which God am I saying that this country is under? A sort of generic God of non-offensiveness? My God says He is a stumbling stone and a Rock of Offense, and that He will not share His glory with another. I don't think He likes being lumped in as an all-purpose deity. Frankly, I worry that it could become the equivalent of throwing a pinch of incense to Caesar, a quasi-religious demand of the state for allegiance. That didn't turn out so well for the early Christians. Maybe I'm paranoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 a family saying the pledge isn't an unConstitutional activity: The Constitution is designed to limit what the Federal Gvt can require, not what parents or private schools/ organizations can require ;) :iagree: And I voted yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 I agree with PariSarah and Mommaduck. I don't like shibboleth tests. Plus' date=' I have some trouble with the PoA's words itself. Is our nation really "indivisible"? Will it be exactly the same 1000 years from now? History would suggest "no". Also, which God am I saying that this country is under? A sort of generic God of non-offensiveness? My God says He is a stumbling stone and a Rock of Offense, and that He will not share His glory with another. I don't think He likes being lumped in as an all-purpose deity. Frankly, I worry that it could become the equivalent of throwing a pinch of incense to Caesar, a quasi-religious demand of the state for allegiance. That didn't turn out so well for the early Christians. Maybe I'm paranoid.[/quote'] ayup. since I'm the one pledging allegiance, i get to decide just what that pledge means and how it will function ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jugglin'5 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 ayup. since I'm the one pledging allegiance, i get to decide just what that pledge means and how it will function ;) Ayup, that I'm paranoid?:D :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlotteb Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Both of my kids are involved in scouts, so they know the pledge from there. But we don't incorporate it into our daily school schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Ayup' date=' that I'm paranoid?:D :lol:[/quote']you say that as if being paranoid is a bad thing...... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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