The Girls and Boys Town Book on Patriotism.

The word "patriotism" summons up a wide range of images, but true patriotism goes beyond special occasions and special people. Do young people know what living as a patriot means? What obligations does a citizen owe to the United States? What opportunities does the country give to him or her? The lessons in this booklet can help students learn by studying past U.S. patriots and considering how a person can determine patriotism not only in a time of crisis but in daily life. Students learn: (1) how love of family and homeland encourages patriotism; (2) what the stories of pilgrims, immigrants, slaves, and Native Americans teach about struggle and opportunity; (3) how different heroism is from celebrity; (4) what happens when patriotism is taken to unhealthy extremes; and (5) why every generation of citizens must be vigilant in preserving American freedoms. Following the "Preface" and "Introduction," the booklet is divided into the six chapters: (1) "Love of Family and Country"; (2) "America, the Land of Opportunity"; (3) "A Free Country Is a Rare and Precious Achievement Every Generation Must Sacrifice to Keep It Free"; (4) "Heroes versus Celebrities"; (5) "Lessons from Being United and Divided"; (6) "Healthy and Unhealthy Patriotism"; and "Epilogue." Each chapter contains three lessons. The booklet can be used as a supplement to existing educational curricula. The questions at the end of each lesson can be used as effective starting points for discussion and to check student understanding of content. (BT)