Patriotic Art Projects for Veteran's Day Observance

This NEW Day has ARRIVED! 

Our president has been determined. 

Let's wave the flag TOGETHER: 

STRONG and PROUD!

Raise your hand and celebrate! 

Veteran's Day is around the corner. 

I've been saving up new children's 'flag-art-responses' to share. Flying in and out of Houston last weekend, there was a display of children's art in the middle of the airport terminal. It was sponsored by M.D. Anderson's Cancer Hospital. These first two pieces were each on display under glass, right there between the gates. What a delight to this weary traveler. 

I'm a big fan of the fireworks surrounding the flag in the project below. Trust me. It's no simple thing to attempt to convey pyrotechnics in your art. I was especially challenged to do so in my own picture book, "Red, White and Blue" which uses fabric as the medium for the illustrations. This young artist has done an admirable job and the end result certainly conjures up a festive celebration. 

Here's another fireworks piece of art from a young artist. 

Here's how I captured the power of fireworks in fabric in my picture book. 

This drawing below, in magic marker, was in the hallways out in Colorado. 

It was part of the student response to the presidential election process. 

These next two pieces are paintings that you will see were created on September 11th. They were on display in Otter Creek Elementary in the greater Chicago-land area during my Author-Illustrator school visit last month. 

What an awesome project for young children with special needs: patriotism and appropriate experience all rolled into one! Using a star-studded hole punch to create the stars is such an excellent example of fine motor strengthening, built seamlessly into a project... with a superb end result. 

This same 'approach' could be used as you help your students observe Veteran's Day, or any other patriotic holiday as well. I'm especially appreciative of the wide latitude that was given in the exercise. The end results are so heart-felt and individual in their expression. Just the hope of all creative endeavors. 

"My Flag I Painted on September 11th." From Preschool Classroom for Children with Special Needs

This patriotic poster from Scholastic was on display last weekend in the ABC Academy that I visited in Montgomery, Texas. I tip my hat to the artist at Scholastic for pulling this all together. Combining the tenants of literacy within the structure of the flag is awesome. I'd LUV to have a copy of this myself. What a perfect addition to any library! 

Let's do a RoundUP of a variety of children's artwork in anticipation and response to my arrival in their midst as Author/Illustrator. I have mature first grade projects to media efforts by wee-wonders and everything in between. 

First Grade Paper Quilts in Response to Picture Book: "Red, White and Blue" 

Take a look at these patriotic 'constructions' made in northern Wisconsin for my school visit in observation of September 11th earlier this fall. Simple. Graphic. Powerful. These were created by mature first graders. They used a variety of 'fancy' scissors and hole punches.

I have written often of Carie's Kindergarten Quilt, created in reference to my picture book. 
Here again is the amazing image for your inspiration.
[Click here to see the earlier articles that demonstrate how her K-kiddos put this together.] 

Patriotic Display in Kindergarten for Author Visit

Marble Painting Fireworks Salute the Flag in Kindergarten 

Elementary School Students and Staff Create a Flag Together

Construction Paper Flags in Response to "Red, White and Blue" Author Study

Patriotism on Display in the Kindergarten Classroom

Here are flags painted in an Ohio preschool in anticipation of my arrival. 

Flag with Painted Hands

Here's the opening two page spread of my nationally award winning picture book, "Red, White and Blue" selected as the Indie Award of Excellence Winner in the picture book division. 

"This is my hand saying, I love you." Preschool Journal in Texas

Toddler Collage Quilt Created in NYC for Author Visit with Debbie Clement

Patriotic Guitars Create "Music" in Honor of my Arrival for an Author/Illustrator School Visit

The HOPE for the FUTURE! WAVE YOUR FLAG!!

Let's join EVERYONE together across this country to honor all that we have to celebrate.

If you're new to me and my work, here's a YouTube video of me teaching my song, "Red, White and Blue" at an IRA (International Reading Association) conference in Illinois. 

***Yesterday I received an inquiry for me to come to NEW MEXICO for a school visit. Here's a link to an earlier article I wrote regarding my dozen suggestions for creating a successful Author Illustrator school visit. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I get to be a part of their book fair! 

-- Debbie -- 




My song "Red, White and Blue" is now available in digital download zip file over at Teachers Pay Teachers. 

You can purchase it for immediate download for your performance in observance of Veteran's Day.