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“The White House” By: Loyd G. Douglas

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“The Statue of Liberty”  by: Lucille Recht Penner

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"Liberty Bell” By: American Icon Books

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Liberty Bell (Ready Read Alouds) FULL LENGTH READ ALOUD CHILDREN’S BOOK

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“ The Eagles are Back” By: Jean Craighead

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"Why Are There Stripes On the American Flag?"

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Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?

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Our first president, George Washington, selected the site for the White House in 1791. The cornerstone was laid in 1792 and a competition design submitted by Irish-born architect James Hoban was chosen. After eight years of construction, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the unfinished house in 1800. During the War of 1812, the British set fire to the President's House in 1814. James Hoban was appointed to rebuild the house, and President James Monroe moved into the building in 1817. During Monroe's administration, the South Portico was constructed in 1824, and Andrew Jackson oversaw the addition of the North Portico in 1829. During the late 19th century, various proposals were made to significantly expand the President's House or to build an entirely new house for the president, but these plans were never realized.

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt began a major renovation of the White House, including the relocation of the president's offices from the Second Floor of the Residence to the newly constructed temporary Executive Office Building (now known as the West Wing). The Roosevelt renovation was planned and carried out by the famous New York architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. Roosevelt's successor, President William Howard Taft, had the Oval Office constructed within an enlarged office wing.

Less than fifty years after the Roosevelt renovation, the White House was showing signs of serious structural weakness. President Harry S. Truman began a renovation of the building in which everything but the outer walls were dismantled. The reconstruction was overseen by architect Lorenzo Winslow, and the Truman family moved back into the White House in 1952.

Every president since John Adams has occupied the White House, and the history of this building extends far beyond the construction of its walls. From the Ground Floor Corridor rooms, transformed from their early use as service areas, to the State Floor rooms, where countless leaders and dignitaries have been entertained, the White House is both the home of the President of the United States and his family, and a museum of American history. The White House is a place where history continues to unfold.

There are 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.

The White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres to more than 1,000.

The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.

At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace," the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion."

President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.

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The White House Building | The White House

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Our first president, George Washington, selected the site for the White House in 1791. The cornerstone was laid in 1792 and a competition design submitted by Irish-born architect James Hoban was chosen. After eight years of construction, President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the unfinished house in 1800.

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What is the Statue of Liberty?

When was the Statue of Liberty built?

Who sculpted the Statue of Liberty?

What is the Statue of Liberty holding?

Why is the Statue of Liberty important?

This article was most recently revised and updated by

Statue of Liberty, formally Liberty Enlightening the World, colossal statue on Liberty Island in the Upper New York Bay, U.S., commemorating the friendship of the peoples of the United States and France. Standing 305 feet (93 metres) high including its pedestal, it represents a woman holding a torch in her raised right hand and a tablet bearing the adoption date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) in her left. The torch, which measures 29 feet (8.8 metres) from the flame tip to the bottom of the handle, is accessible via a 42-foot (12.8-metre) service ladder inside the arm (this ascent was open to the public from 1886 to 1916). An elevator carries visitors to the observation deck in the pedestal, which may also be reached by stairway, and a spiral staircase leads to an observation platform in the figure's crown. A plaque at the pedestal's entrance is inscribed with a sonnet, " The New Colossus" (1883) by Emma Lazarus. It was written to help raise money for the pedestal, and it reads:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

A French historian, Édouard de Laboulaye, made the proposal for the statue in 1865. Funds were contributed by the French people, and work began in France in 1875 under sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi. The statue was constructed of copper sheets, hammered into shape by hand and assembled over a framework of four gigantic steel supports, designed by Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc and Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. The colossus was presented to the American minister to France Levi Morton (later vice president) in a ceremony in Paris on July 4, 1884. In 1885 the completed statue, 151 feet 1 inch (46 metres) high and weighing 225 tons, was disassembled and shipped to New York City. The pedestal, designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt and built within the walls of Fort Wood on Bedloe's Island, was completed later. The statue, mounted on its pedestal, was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. Over the years the torch underwent several modifications, including its conversion to electric power in 1916 and its redesign (with repoussé copper sheathed in gold leaf) in the mid-1980s, when the statue was repaired and restored by both American and French workers for a centennial celebration held in July 1986. The site was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1984.

Sculptors and Sculpture Quiz

The statue was at first administered by the U.S. Lighthouse Board, as the illuminated torch was considered a navigational aid. Because Fort Wood was still an operational Army post, responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the statue was transferred in 1901 to the War Department. It was declared a national monument in 1924, and in 1933 the administration of the statue was placed under the National Park Service. Fort Wood was deactivated in 1937, and the rest of the island was incorporated into the monument. In 1956 Bedloe's Island was renamed Liberty Island, and in 1965 nearby Ellis Island, once the country's major immigration station, was added to the monument's jurisdiction, bringing its total area to about 58 acres (about 24 hectares). Exhibits on the history of the Statue of Liberty, including the statue's original 1886 torch, were contained in the statue's base until 2018, when they were moved to the adjacent Statue of Liberty Museum.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Pat Bauer.

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Statue of Liberty | History, Information, Height, Poem, & Facts

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Statue of Liberty, colossal statue in New York City, U.S., commemorating the friendship of the peoples of the United States and France. Standing 305 feet high, it represents a woman holding a torch in her raised right hand and a tablet bearing the adoption date of the Declaration of Independence in her left.

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Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the Bell in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania's original Constitution. It speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people the world over. Particularly forward thinking were Penn's ideas on religious freedom, his liberal stance on Native American rights, and his inclusion of citizens in enacting laws.

The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists in their efforts to put an end to slavery throughout America adopted it as a symbol.

As the Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding "proclaim liberty" is, "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?

Also inscribed on the Bell is the quotation, "By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada." Note that the spelling of "Pennsylvania" was not at that time universally adopted. In fact, in the original Constitution, the name of the state is also spelled "Pensylvania." If you get a chance to visit the second floor of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, take a moment to look at the original maps on the wall. They, too, have the state name spelled "Pensylvania" (and the Atlantic Ocean called by the name of that day, "The Western Ocean"). The choice of the quotation was made by Quaker Isaac Norris, speaker of the Assembly.

Centered on the front of the Bell are the words, "Pass and Stow / Philada / MDCCLIII." We'll get to Pass and Stow in a bit.

The Crack

There is widespread disagreement about when the first crack appeared on the Bell. Hair-line cracks on bells were bored out to prevent expansion. However, it is agreed that the final expansion of the crack which rendered the Bell unringable was on Washington's Birthday in 1846.

The Philadelphia Public Ledger takes up the story in its February 26, 1846 publication:

"The old Independence Bell rang its last clear note on Monday last in honor of the birthday of Washington and now hangs in the great city steeple irreparably cracked and dumb. It had been cracked before but was set in order of that day by having the edges of the fracture filed so as not to vibrate against each other ... It gave out clear notes and loud, and appeared to be in excellent condition until noon, when it received a sort of compound fracture in a zig-zag direction through one of its sides which put it completely out of tune and left it a mere wreck of what it was."

The Bell as Icon

The Bell achieved its iconic status when abolitionists adopted the Bell as a symbol for the movement. It was first used in this association as a frontispiece to an 1837 edition of Liberty, published by the New York Anti-Slavery Society.

It was, in fact, the abolitionists who gave it the name "Liberty Bell," in reference to its inscription. It was previously called simply the "State House bell."

In retrospect, it is a remarkably apt metaphor for a country literally cracked and freedom fissured for its black inhabitants. The line following "proclaim liberty" is, "It shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." The Abolitionists understood this passage to mean that the Bible demanded all slaves and prisoners be freed every 50 years.

William Lloyd Garrison's anti-slavery publication The Liberator reprinted a Boston abolitionist pamphlet containing a poem about the Bell, entitled, The Liberty Bell, which represents the first documented use of the name, "Liberty Bell."

The Bell and the Declaration of Independence

In 1847, George Lippard wrote a fictional story for The Saturday Currier which told of an elderly bellman waiting in the State House steeple for the word that Congress had declared Independence. The story continues that privately he began to doubt Congress's resolve. Suddenly the bellman's grandson, who was eavesdropping on the doors of Congress, yelled to him, "Ring, Grandfather! Ring!"

This story so captured the imagination of people throughout the land that the Liberty Bell was forever associated with the Declaration of Independence.

The truth is that the steeple was in bad condition and historians today highly doubt that the Bell actually rang in 1776. However, its association with the Declaration of Independence was fixed in the collective mythology.

Bell as Symbol

After the divisive Civil War, Americans sought a symbol of unity. The flag became one such symbol, and the Liberty Bell another. To help heal the wounds of the war, the Liberty Bell would travel across the country.

Starting in the 1880s, the Bell traveled to cities throughout the land "proclaiming liberty" and inspiring the cause of freedom. We have prepared a photo essay of its 1915 journey to the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.

A replica of the Liberty Bell, forged in 1915, was used to promote women's suffrage. It traveled the country with its clapper chained to its side, silent until women won the right to vote. On September 25, 1920, it was brought to Independence Hall and rung in ceremonies celebrating the ratification of the 19th amendment.

To this day, oppressed groups come to Philadelphia to give voice to their plight, at the Liberty Bell, proclaiming their call for liberty.

History of the Bell

On November 1, 1751, a letter was sent to Robert Charles, the Colonial Agent of the Province of Pennsylvania who was working in London. Signed by Isaac Norris, Thomas Leech, and Edward Warner, it represented the desires of the Assembly to purchase a bell for the State House (now Independence Hall) steeple. The bell was ordered from Whitechapel Foundry, with instructions to inscribe on it the passage from Leviticus.

The bell arrived in Philadelphia on September 1, 1752, but was not hung until March 10, 1753, on which day Isaac Norris wrote, "I had the mortification to hear that it was cracked by a stroke of the clapper without any other viollence [sic] as it was hung up to try the sound."

The cause of the break is thought to have been attributable either to flaws in its casting or, as they thought at the time, to its being too brittle.

Two Philadelphia foundry workers named John Pass and John Stow were given the cracked bell to be melted down and recast. They added an ounce and a half of copper to a pound of the old bell in an attempt to make the new bell less brittle. For their labors they charged slightly over 36 Pounds.

The new bell was raised in the belfry on March 29, 1753. "Upon trial, it seems that they have added too much copper. They were so teased with the witticisms of the town that they will very soon make a second essay," wrote Isaac Norris to London agent Robert Charles. Apparently nobody was now pleased with the tone of the bell.

Pass and Stow indeed tried again. They broke up the bell and recast it. On June 11, 1753, the New York Mercury reported, "Last Week was raised and fix'd in the Statehouse Steeple, the new great Bell, cast here by Pass and Stow, weighing 2080 lbs."

In November, Norris wrote to Robert Charles that he was still displeased with the bell and requested that Whitechapel cast a new one.

Upon the arrival of the new bell from England, it was agreed that it sounded no better than the Pass and Stow bell. So the "Liberty Bell" remained where it was in the steeple, and the new Whitechapel bell was placed in the cupola on the State House roof and attached to the clock to sound the hours.

The Liberty Bell was rung to call the Assembly together and to summon people together for special announcements and events. The Liberty Bell tolled frequently. Among the more historically important occasions, it tolled when Benjamin Franklin was sent to England to address Colonial grievances, it tolled when King George III ascended to the throne in 1761, and it tolled to call together the people of Philadelphia to discuss the Sugar Act in 1764 and the Stamp Act in 1765.

In 1772 a petition was sent to the Assembly stating that the people in the vicinity of the State House were "incommoded and distressed" by the constant "ringing of the great Bell in the steeple."

But, tradition holds, it continued tolling for the First Continental Congress in 1774, the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775 and its most resonant tolling was on July 8, 1776, when it summoned the citizenry for the reading of the Declaration of Independence produced by the Second Continental Congress. However, the steeple was in bad condition and historians today doubt the likelihood of the story.

In October 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia. Weeks earlier all bells, including the Liberty Bell, were removed from the city. It was well understood that, if left, they would likely be melted down and used for cannon. The Liberty Bell was removed from the city and hidden in the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which you can still visit today.

Throughout the period from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the nation's capital, uses of the Bell included calling the state legislature into session, summoning voters to hand in their ballots at the State House window, and tolling to commemorate Washington's birthday and celebrate the Fourth of July.

The Bell Today

The Liberty Bell Center was opened in October, 2003. From the southern end, the bell is visible from the street 24 hours a day.

On every Fourth of July, at 2pm Eastern time, children who are descendants of Declaration signers symbolically tap the Liberty Bell 13 times while bells across the nation also ring 13 times in honor of the patriots from the original 13 states.

Each year, the bell is gently tapped in honor of Martin Luther King Day. The ceremony began in 1986 at request of Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King.

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Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

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national flag consisting of white stars (50 since July 4, 1960) on a blue canton with a field of 13 alternating stripes, 7 red and 6 white. The 50 stars stand for the 50 states of the union, and the 13 stripes stand for the original 13 states. The flag's width-to-length ratio is 10 to 19.

After the American Revolution began, the first, unofficial national flag-known as the Continental Colours (or, sometimes, as the Grand Union Flag, the Cambridge Flag, the Somerville Flag, or the Union Flag)-was hoisted on a towering 76-foot (23-metre) liberty pole at Prospect Hill in Charlestown (now in Somerville), Massachusetts, on January 1, 1776; it was raised at the behest of Gen. George Washington, whose headquarters were nearby. The flag had 13 horizontal stripes (probably of red and white or of red, white, and blue) and, in the canton, the first version of the British Union Flag ( Union Jack). As the flag of the Continental Army, it flew at forts and on naval vessels. Another popular early flag, that of the 1765 Sons of Liberty, had only nine red and white stripes. Various versions of "Don't Tread on Me" coiled-rattlesnake flags appeared on many 18th-century American colonial banners, including the Gadsden flag and several others flown by military units during the Revolutionary War. The version carried by the Minutemen of Culpeper County, Virginia, for example, included not only the rattlesnake and the "Don't Tread on Me" motto but also Virginia patriot Patrick Henry 's famous words "Liberty or Death."

The first official national flag, formally approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, was the Stars and Stripes. That first Flag Resolution read, in toto, "Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation." The layout of the stars was left undefined, and many patterns were used by flag makers. The designer of the flag-most likely Congressman Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Philadelphia-may have had a ring of stars in mind to symbolize the new constellation. Today that pattern is popularly known as the " Betsy Ross flag," although the widely circulated story that she made the first Stars and Stripes and came up with the ring pattern is unsubstantiated. Rows of stars (4-5-4 or 3-2-3-2-3) were common, but many other variations also existed. The new Stars and Stripes formed part of the military colours carried on September 11, 1777, at the Battle of the Brandywine, perhaps its first such use.

The Stars and Stripes changed on May 1, 1795, when Congress enacted the second Flag Resolution, which mandated that new stars and stripes be added to the flag when new states were admitted to the Union. The first two new states were Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792). (One such flag was the 1,260-square-foot [117-square-metre] "Star-Spangled Banner," made by Mary Pickersgill, that Francis Scott Key saw at Fort McHenry in September 1814, which inspired him to write the patriotic poem that later supplied the lyrics of the national anthem.) In 1818, after five more states had been admitted, Congress enacted the third and last Flag Resolution, requiring that henceforth the number of stripes should remain 13, the number of stars should always match the number of states, and any new star should be added on the July 4 following a state's admission. This has been the system ever since. In all, from 1777 to 1960 (after the admission of Hawaii in 1959), there were 27 versions of the flag-25 involving changes in the stars only. An executive order signed by Pres. William Howard Taft on October 29, 1912, standardized for the first time the proportions and relative sizes of the elements of the flag; in 1934 the exact shades of colour were standardized.

There is no official assignment of meaning or symbolism to the colours of the flag. However, Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, in describing the proposed Great Seal of the United States, suggested the following symbolism: "White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue...signifies vigilence [sic], perseverence [sic] & justice." As with many other national flags, the Stars and Stripes has long been a focus of patriotic sentiment. Since 1892, millions of children have recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the start of each school day, and the lyrics of the national anthem are also concerned with the flag. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that all flag desecration laws were unconstitutional, some veterans' and patriotic groups pressured legislators to adopt laws or a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. Such legislation has been opposed on the grounds that it would infringe on the constitutionally guaranteed First Amendment freedom of expression.

During the American Civil War, the Confederate States of America began to use its first flag, the Stars and Bars, on March 5, 1861. Soon after, the first Confederate Battle Flag was also flown. The design of the Stars and Bars varied over the following two years. On May 1, 1863, the Confederacy adopted its first official national flag, often called the Stainless Banner. A modification of that design was adopted on March 4, 1865, about a month before the end of the war. In the latter part of the 20th century, many groups in the South challenged the practice of flying the Confederate Battle Flag on public buildings, including some state capitols. Proponents of the tradition argued that the flag recalled Southern heritage and wartime sacrifice, whereas opponents saw it as a symbol of racism and slavery, inappropriate for official display.

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Flag of the United States of America | History, Meaning, Facts, & Design

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National flag consisting of white stars (50 since July 4, 1960) on a blue canton with a field of 13 alternating stripes, 7 red and 6 white. The 50 stars stand for the 50 states of the union, and the 13 stripes stand for the original 13 states.

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The White House for Kids | History and Facts

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Independence Day and the History of the American Flag (Cool School)

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The U.S. President lives in a very special house called the White House. We've recreated his house using craft sticks and paint.

CRAFT STICK WHITE HOUSE

Celebrate Inauguration Day or Presidents' Day by creating your very own White House!
What you'll need:

8 jumbo craft sticks

4 regular craft sticks

7 miniature craft sticks

White acrylic paint

Green felt or construction paper

Scissors

White craft glue

1/2 sheet black construction paper

Helpful Tips:

As the glue is drying, occasionally press down gently on the craft stick columns to be sure that they are flush with the house.

Place your craft sticks on a piece paper before your start. If the glue sticks to the paper it's no problem, simply leave the paper on the back of the house!

Talk about the significance of the presidency when working on this project.

How to make it:

1. Cut the rounded ends off of all eight jumbo craft sticks.

2. Lay four jumbo craft sticks touching each other on a table, one below the other. Line the other four jumbo craft sticks in the same fashion alongside the first four. You should have 2 sticks going across (columns) and four sticks going down (rows).

3. Pipe glue onto the edges of the craft sticks, connecting them all together. Smooth the glue with your finger or a paintbrush and gently press them together so that they are all touching. You may want to let the glued craft sticks dry on a piece of wax paper placed on your table. Allow glue to dry completely.

4. From two of the regular craft sticks, cut one rounded end off of each.

5. Center a miniature craft stick directly above the large rectangle you made from the jumbo craft sticks. Place the two regular craft sticks across the top as well, on either side of the mini craft stick. The straight edges should hang over the sides of the large rectangle. Glue in place and let dry.

6. Cut the rounded edge off both sides of a regular craft stick. Center the regular craft stick on top of the row made in step 5 and glue in place. This should make the second row stacked above the jumbo craft stick base.

7. To add the columns on the front of the White House, place a miniature craft stick 1/2″ to the left of the center line of the large triangle. Glue another "column" 1/2″ to the right of the center line. Glue the third and fourth column to the left and right of the first two columns.

8. Glue a regular craft stick horizontally across the top of the four columns.

9. Position two miniature craft sticks to form a wide upside-down "V" on top of the regular craft stick in step 8. You will see they make the shape of a pointed roof. Glue the pieces into place.

10. After all craft sticks have dried completely, paint the entire thing with white paint. Let dry. You may notice some cracking in the paint due to painting over the glue. If you do, simple add a second coat after the first coat has dried completely.

11. Cut windows and door from black construction paper and glue in place according to photo.

12. Cut an 11″ x 1/2″ strip of green felt or construction paper. Trim to fit across the base of the White House and glue in place.

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Craft Stick White House | Fun Family Crafts

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The U.S. President lives in a very special house called the White House. We've recreated his house using craft sticks and paint. Celebrate Inauguration Day or Presidents' Day by creating your very own White House!

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I'm always so excited to post another set of pipe cleaner finger puppets - they are one of my most popular crafts of all! These 4th of July kids crafts are super-easy and yet also super-satisfying for kids to make. Especially if your kids are older than 7 or so they are pretty fool-proof. It makes children especially proud of their creations!

4th of July Finger Puppets Craft Materials List

I've placed a photograph next to each finger puppet with the exact materials needed for each. All of them require a very easy to find set of stuff:
Pipe Cleaners Pom Poms Googly Eyes
Glue (Hot glue gun works best, but I've since discovered that even regular glue will suffice, it just takes longer to dry)

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Wire Cutters (So you don't ruin your scissors cutting the pipe cleaners)

How to Make These 4th of July Puppet Crafts
Please refer to the original Easter finger puppets post for general assembly instructions. Or here's a quick video of making one of them in action! It explains the general instructions on how to wind the pipe cleaners around your finger and how to attach the pom poms accurately.
The Statue of Liberty Finger Puppet

Wind the puppet body base around your finger.

Make her torch by taking a 2-3 inch piece of glitter green pipe cleaner and winding it around the tip of a sharpened pencil to make a cone shape:

Make Lady Liberty's crown by forming a green pipe cleaner as shown below. Wrap the end around the rest of the crown to secure the points in place - then clip off the extra on the end.

Bend a 6 inch piece of green pipe cleaner into the shape of her arms, and slide it in between the body coils. Bend one up to hold the torch and one curled in front of her.

Glue the torch onto her left hand and then glue the red/orange small pom pom on the top to make it look like a flame. I found a medium sized red glitter pom pom that worked perfectly for this.

Glue the head onto the body.

Glue the green tiny pom pom on the front of the face, then glue the two googly eyes right on top.

American Eagle Finger Puppet

Wind the puppet body base around your finger.

Bend a full piece of brown pipe cleaner into the shape of wings as shown.

Slide the wings in between the body coils.

Bend a one inch piece of yellow pipe cleaner in half then curve it a little bit into the shape of a beak.

Glue the white pom pom head onto the eagle body.

Glue the beak and googly eyes onto the eagle's face

Uncle Sam Finger Puppet

(Note that I also added two tiny white pom poms for buttons on his coat!)

Wind the finger puppet base.

Make Uncle Sam's top hat with a blue and red pipe cleaner - use the instructions from my Cat in the Hat craft:

Bend a two and a half inch piece of pipe cleaner into the shape of a bow tie as shown.

Glue his pom pom head onto the puppet body.

Glue the medium white pom pom onto the bottom of his face for his beard.

Glue Uncle Sam's nose and googly eyes in place.

Glue his top hat onto his head, then glue the bow tie and white buttons onto the front of his coat.

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4th of July Kids Crafts: Finger Puppets | Woo! Jr. Kids Activities

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I'm always so excited to post another set of pipe cleaner finger puppets - they are one of my most popular crafts of all! These 4th of July kids crafts are super-easy and yet also super-satisfying for kids to make. Especially if your kids are older than 7 or so they are pretty fool-proof.

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In September, 2010, I volunteered to build a float for a Halloween parade. The theme of the float was patriotic / historical, incorporating historical US flags and a replica of the Liberty Bell. For some time I had wanted to experiment with sculpting with extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam, so this project afforded the oppurtunity to consume scraps of 2" material had saved from my insulating-the-workshop project. At the time I built the replica, I wanted to encase it in fiberglass-reinforced polyester (FRP), but time did not permit. That had to wait until later.

I knew that I could deal with the vulnerable nature of the paper maché and joint compound exterior skin for one parade event. Unfortunately, over the subsequent months, handling and storage of the bell revealed that refinishing with FRP would be necessary and inevitable if I were to keep the bell useful. When I finally found the time to do this, it did not occur to me to take photos of the process. This was partially due to my fear of the resin setting before I was finished working with it (I generally don't have an assistant). I also did not document making the crown, mounting hardware, yolk, supporting frame, and road case.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

A. Tools
1. Utility knife
2. Wood file/rasp
3. Keyhole saw
4. Bar compass
5. Metal straight edges/rulers

B. Materials
1. White glue (I prefer Elmer's)
2. Rubber cement
3. Spray adhesive (I prefer 3M 77)
4. Gorilla glue
5. Paint brush (I used 1")
6. Putty knife (I used a 3" taping knife)
7. 2" Extruded Polystyrene
8. Poster board or equivalent (I used the discarded backs from tablets and legal pads)
9. Large paper (I used the reversed side of discarded engineering plans)
10. Newspaper
11. Joint compound
12. Sandpaper
13. Sanding sponge
14. Spray primer
15. Spray paint (I used RustOleum Hammered, Copper)

Note: Selection of adhesive is critical when working with plastics such as XPS, since styrene is soluble in several petroleum distillates, such as acetone. XPS does not appear to be damaged by 3M 77, but is dissolved by 3M 90 and petroleum-based contact cement. Additionally, petroleum-based spray paint can soften XPS and polyester resin attacks it quite aggressively.

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Step 2: Establishing Geometry

I found dimensions of the actual Liberty Bell at http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/more/virtual.htm.

* Circumference around the lip: 12'-0"
* Diameter at lip: 3'-9 13/16" (45 13/16")
* Circumference around the crown: 7'-6"
* Diameter at crown: 2'-4 5/8" (28 5/8")
* Lip to crown: 3'-0"
* Height over the crown: 2'-3"

I initially planned to build the replica full size but I decided that this would make it unmanageable; exceed my limited storage space; be too large for the float itself; and would not fit through most doors in my house. I used 75% of the dimensions above. The construction process confirmed the reduction to be a good choice since a full size version would have required more material than was in my scrap inventory.

I downloaded an image from http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14356 and inserted it into AutoCAD as a raster. I then traced the outline. I scaled the raster and traced outline to match the 75% dimensions as closely as possible. I then laid out a horizontal grid spaced 2" apart to represent the thickness of the XPS. At the base of each layer, I dimensioned its radius. I also cut out a cardboard negative profile template for use in verifying the shape as sculpting progressed.

Step 3: Making XPS Rings

Most of the XPS scraps were about 3" to 4" wide and 7'-8½" to 8'-0" long. This worked well as material to be cut into trapezoidal segments and assembled into rings in the same manner as done in a wooden wagon wheel.

The first step was to lay out the rings on paper. Using rubber cement, I fastened sheets of discarded engineering plans together to make pieces large enough to draw the rings at full scale. On the reverse side, I drew the rings using a bar compass and laid out the segments. Mimicking the XPS segment layout, I cut segments from the tablet back cardboard and adhered them to the paper using rubber cement to create cardboard-reinforced paper ring assemblies.

I cut the XPS segments on a slide miter saw. After test fitting, I glued them end-to-end into rings using Gorilla Glue and clamped them with a ratchet strap. After the glued segments were firmly connected, I adhered the XPS assemblies to their associated cardboard-paper ring using 3M 77. I then sawed away the material extending beyond the rings and sanded the XPS to a smooth circle.

I then added two intersecting strips of paper to mark the center of the ring and scribed a circle representing the outline of the subsequent ring layer. For each ring that would form a convex portion of the compound curve, I tapered the circumference from its base radius to that of the radius of the subsequent ring layer using a keyhole saw and sandpaper.

Step 4: Build Tapered Section of Bell

Unfortunately, I did not take photographs of each step in building the tapered section of the bell. For the purpose of illustrating this Instructable, I generated a 3-D model of the bell in AutoCAD and produced renderings in 123D.

I cut a corrugated cardboard ring for the base of the tapered section and glued on intersecting corrugated cardboard diaphragms to stiffen the assembly and provide a means of aligning the upper disc. I glued wood hanger strips to the diaphragms. I placed XPS filler blocks at 30-degree intervals to provide additional support for the poster board skin; attached a cardboard upper disc with hanger strips protruding; sanded the XPS blocks to match curve of the ring and disc; and installed the poster board skin.

I glued a plywood disc to the cardboard upper disc, gluing and screwing it to the wood hanger strips. I glued a wood filler cylinder to the plywood disc; drilled a hole in its center for the 7/16" crown alignment dowel; and glued the dowel in place.

Step 5: Stacking the XPS Rings

I applied spray adhesive to the mating surfaces of the rings and aligned the surfaces using the circles scribed on the top of each circle in Step 3. At the previously-tapered rings, I sanded down the XPS until it was flush with the cardboard rings. I test-fit the upper section, sanding the uppermost ring perimeter to allow the skin of the tapered section to fit snuggly around the XPS with the corrugated base ring sitting firmly on the upper surface of the XPS. I did not adhere the tapered section to the XPS at this point because the proportions of the full assembly were such as to prevent me from easily moving it out of the room.

At the lip of the bell, where the curvature is convex, I removed the excess material at the lip using a keyhole saw and wood rasp, then sanded smooth. At this point in the construction, I did not round-over the transition between the lip of the bell and the lower surface of the bell.

Step 6: Initial Finish - Paper Mache and Joint Compound

Using white glue thinned with water, I applied strips of newspaper from the bottom surface of the bell, around the lip, and over the XPS, stopping short of the tapered section. After taking the bell outside, I adhered the tapered section to the XPS; completed the application of newspaper over the joint between the XPS and the tapered section; began applying and sanding joint compound; and glued XPS to the top of the tapered section. After completing the XPS shaping at the top of the bell, I glued paper strips over the top of the bell and coated it with joint compound. After sanding the compound to the desired contour, I primed and painted the bell.

Note: The legs of the original crown extended through the XPS to allow them to be fastened to the plywood disc via screws inserted through the underside of the bell. I revised this configuration when I refinished the bell. The blocking depicted in the renderings in Step 4 is associated with the revised crown.

Step 7: Assembly

I built the yolk from glued-up scraps of lumber that were too small - or too twisted - to be useful in other projects. I ripped, jointed, and planed down pieces to remove any twists and to get straight peices of uniform thickness for gluing. I made the eyebolts and other mounting hardware from steel flats and rods I purchased at the hardware store. I welded flat stock to the ends of rod material, blended the shapes by grinding, drilled the eyes, and threaded the round ends.

Step 8: Refinishing the Bell

As mentioned in Step 6, the original crown extended through the XPS to allow it to be fastened directly to the plywood disc via screws inserted through the underside of the bell. This made the bell structure susceptible to water intrusion through the mortises formed in the XPS on top of the bell. The revised crown configuration eliminated this problem. Wood blocking replaced the legs of the crown that extended through the XPS down to the ¾" plywood disc. The FRP encasement is continuous across the top of the bell, penetrated only at the four screw locations through this added blocking.

The new crown sections are made of a layer of ¾" clear pine laminated between two layers of ¼" plywood. At the screw holes, I drilled oversized holes and filled them with polyester resin. I then coated the entire crown with resin. After the resin hardened, I used a Forstener bit to mill recesses at the screw locations to allow for O-rings that seal the joint between the crown and the top of the bell.

Another improvement is the rounding-over of the lip of bell. I used a ½" round-over router bit and carefully milled the XPS. I then coated the exposed XPS with white glue to protect it from the resin. The FRP encasement extends around lip, across the bottom surface to the inner edge of the ring.

The completed bell is much more durable than the original and is water resistant when in its upright orientation.

Step 9: Road Case

For handling and storage, I built a wheeled road case that contains and protects the bell, the yolk, and the mounting hardware.

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Liberty Bell Replica: In September, 2010, I volunteered to build a float for a Halloween parade. The theme of the float was patriotic / historical, incorporating historical US flags and a replica of the Liberty Bell. For some time I had wanted to experiment with sculpt...

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Order by Dec 16 for Christmas delivery

is donated to the school arts program at
Reinertsen Elementary

Send someone a postcard with this art and a personal message!

Family and friends who receive updates on new artwork and more!

Express your appreciation for this artist by leaving a note.

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Order by Dec 16 for Christmas delivery is donated to the school arts program atReinertsen Elementary Send someone a postcard with this art and a personal message! Family and friends who receive updates on new artwork and more! Express your appreciation for this artist by leaving a note.

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Now that the school year is wrapping up and summer is upon us, we will be gearing up for the Fourth of July holiday soon! I love all of the red, white and blue decor and how we get to spend the holiday with our extended family each year. With the warmer temperatures, it's the perfect opportunity to get crafty with the little ones indoors by making patriotic crafts. If you are looking for some festive red, white and blue ideas for your children, here are 12 fabulous American flag crafts for kids that are sure to put you in the Fourth of July spirit!

12 FABULOUS FLAG CRAFTS FOR KIDS

1. Purchase a package of patriotic straws and turn them into this simple Straw Flag Craft. It also combines as a great way for preschoolers to get some scissor cutting practice.

2. Paint the bottom of your child's foot as a flag and use it to create this darling American Flag Footprint Craft. I love how it couples as a cute keepsake!

3. Whip out some red, white and blue pony beads and use them to create this fun Pony Bead Flag Craft. Even toddlers can participate in this fun craft.

4. Paper plates are a common staple in most homes during summer time. Get one out and use it to make this simple Paper Plate Flag Kid Craft.

5. Here is another fun Pony Bead American Flag Craft that you can hang as pretty decor for the holiday. I love the addition of the blue star beads!

6. Re-purpose a tin can to create this cute Tin Can Windsock Craft. Hang it outside on the front porch to welcome all of your party guests.

7. I love this creative take on the classic Popsicle Stick Flag Craft. A perfect craft for kids to enjoy creating on the Fourth of July.

8. Turn paint sticks into this pretty Paint Stick Flag Craft that you can hang on your front door as festive decor. The addition of buttons makes it an especially fun craft for kids.

9. Paint your hand to look like a flag and use it to create this Patriotic Handprint Kids Craft. Another beautiful keepsake to keep for the memory book.

10. Have you ever tried painting with pom poms? Create a pom pom paintbrush and use it to create this bright and beautiful Pom Pom American Flag Craft for Kids.

11. Red, white and blue tissue paper squares make a darling Fourth of July Tissue Flag Craft for Kids. Download the free printable pattern to make it even more simple for kids to create.

12. Tear up construction paper strips to make this simple Torn Paper Flag Craft. My kids love playing with stickers so I love the addition of the silver star stickers on this craft.

Looking for more fun flag crafts?
This year we added a new patriotic craft you'll love! Check out this tape resist Flag Fourth of July Craft.

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12 Fabulous American Flag Crafts for Kids

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Now that the school year is wrapping up and summer is upon us, we will be gearing up for the Fourth of July holiday soon! I love all of the red, white and blue decor and how we get to spend the holiday with our extended family each year.