Look at our flag. It has stripes and stars. Let's count them together!
Key idea
Our flag has 13 stripes, red and white, and 50 white stars on a blue square.
Why it works
Each part of the flag means something. The 13 stripes are for the 13 colonies that became our first states. The 50 stars are for the 50 states we have today: one star for each state.
Common mistake
Some people think there is one stripe for each state. Not so! There are only 13 stripes, for the first 13 colonies. The stars are for the states. A quick check: 50 states, 50 stars.
For the grown-up: Flag Day is June 14, the day in 1777 when Congress chose the first flag. Count the stars together in rows if your child is ready: the rows have 6 and 5 stars, taking turns.