Sometimes, a teacher has to share with students something that they are really enthused about. Next to looking at maps, I love looking at flags! International flags display many of the best devices and some of the worst transgressions of flag protocols with some surprising genius in the mix! U.S. state flags are mostly dreary, but a few stand out with pretty stunning designs. What makes for a quality flag design and why do some fail so badly?
This is one of my favorite TED talks. Roman Mars is obsessed with flags; a true vexillologist. He clues you in to the most sublime and some of the worst crimes in flag design. Warning! This talk is not safe for young ears! Mr. Mars has a bit of a pottymouth, but it is so worth watching if you’re interested in flag design!
With Flag Day coming in June (6/14), I put together a lesson in flag design. From hoist to fly, canton to saltires, the vocabulary of a vexillologist illustrates the construct and the details of flag design. See why New Zealanders are so vexed about their own flag or which country’s flag has three flags all combined into one! Do you know which canton is the upper hoist side? This lesson ‘splains it all! Check out the preview here. Then download the lesson!
Time for you to be the judge. Does your state or country have a flag worth sending up the pole or does the sight of it flapping overhead ruin your day? Download this file so that the next time you’re looking at a flag waving in the wind you can decide for yourself if it is a rocking design or something best forgotten. And better yet, wake up the budding vexillologists in your classroom and give them a Flag Day they’ll never forget!
If you’re interested in more flag fun, check out all the flag games and pennants in Donald’s English Classroom!
Happy Flag Day!
Don