The 2006-2007 fifth grade students in Marc Kornblatt's class have created personal flags that express their identities and ways that they view their lives. They are pleased to share them with you, as well as their words of explanation. We have included a brief description of the term, vexillography, that we hope you find interesting.
The 2005-2006 class flags can be viewed here 2005-2006 Flags
Vexillology is a word derived from the Latin vexillum, a term used by the Romans to refer to a kind of standard with a fabric hung from a horizontal crossbar on a pole.
It is the nearest equivalent in the classical languages to what we call a flag today.
The Roman legion had a variety of standards: the eagle (which was used more often than the others) the wolf, the minotaur, the horse,
and the boar were carried in front of different elements of the legion.
All were animal totems, reflecting what is considered to be the religious beliefs of an agricultural society.
In battle and on the march, the standards were important as rallying points.
To lose, or surrender, a standard, especially the eagle itself, was considered a serious disgrace.
Related words: vexillophily: A special fondness for flags and their meanings; vexillophilist, one who has a fondness or love of flags.
The flag is a powerful instrument for social participation and communication.
Flag is a word of Teutonic (Germanic) origin used from the 15th to the 16th centuries in various northern European languages
to signify a piece of cloth, bunting, or similar material that displayed the insignia of a community, an armed force, an office, or an individual.
It is this last definition that the following flag designs reflect. The images are thumbnail size. To view full size, click on each flag.
My Tree
I have a tree.
It creates shelter for me.
It is strong and healthy.
I call it Betsy.
by Freya
The Past
Spin dash mode
is Sonic's code.
Chaos blast
is Shadow's past.
Join Shadow.
go across time and space.
Join Sonic,
be the heroes who stopped
the storm.
Join me,
be in the middle of good, evil
and the unknown.
by Jacob
The Light Between Heaven and Hell
There are two sides with wings.
The left side is your way to hell.
The right side is your way to heaven.
In the middle is where you should stay,
because every one makes
good and bad choices.
by Jamisa
My Flag is Orange and Yellow
The orange stands for Halloween.
I love dressing up in costumes
And I love getting candy.
The yellow stands for Colombia,
because I was born in Colombia.
And also because in Cali there is
a lot of sun,
and it's really hot there.
And the pencil strands for writing,
because I love to write everything,
especially fairy tales.
by Natalia
Mountain of Life
Life to me is like
A mountain with edges and snow.
The edge is for my tough times
and snow is for
my sad and mad times.
But even a mountain can have
some smooth sides
and maybe even a trail.
So I will climb my mountain
up to the top
and never give up,
because I can climb
the mountain
whatever the surface.
By Sam
The Soccer Nature
I will gaze at the sky
looking at is so far.
I'll jump down to the ground
and start playing like
a soccer star.
by Andreas
The Four Colors in the Flag
I chose a paintbrush,
because my family and I
Love to paint.
Red and green are there,
because they are the
Colors of Mexico
And Mexico is part of me.
Blue is the color of the United States
And the U.S.A. is part of my family.
by Sandra
My Heart
I'm lost...and now
I'm found.
The Lord has taken me to
His kingdom.
I am saved and safe
and I will have
Happiness and life
for all eternity.
I love my heart.
by Jeremy
The Sun
The sun is bright.
It is the closest star
and the warmest.
I like the sun,
because I can play
when it is out.
by Daniel
Smiley Sun
The sun makes me feel warm
and happy inside.
even more with one big smile.
I love the sun.
by Ella
Three Things
In my flag the green rectangle stands for
a soccer field.
The white corners stand for my family
that is around me.
All the colors stand for Mexico,
because it is where I was born.
by Ever
Stuffed Animal and Cat Poem
Oh look here comes Sissy
I can see but the question is
Will she sit by me?
Well, I guess it's time for bed,
Let's go see what's in Snowy's head!
When I see Snowy I just want to jump up
And shout hurry,
because I know sleep is not faraway.
by Patrick
Fishy Fishy
Fishy fishy in the deep sea
Looking up at me,
I might not see you,
but I might catch you.
Fishy fish in the deep sea
Don't look at me.
I might eat you tonight.
I might set you free.
by Chatree
My Music
I love music!!!
If I didn't have music
I wouldn't be me
Music is a special part
of my life.
by Ciera
Quiet Place
A small space in nature
next to a pond
Is the perfect place
to sit,
Watch a frog
Read a book
Pull back the grass
Cattail, foxtail
And be quiet for a second.
Or, I could sit there for a minute
Or maybe an hour
Or, a day.
by Isabel
My Flag
My flag is pink, white and green.
Pink stands for me.
It is my favorite color.
Stars are my favorite shape.
Green is for the army.
My cousin's dad's friend was in the army.
He got shot by his heart.
by Laranda
Karen's Colors
The star stands for me, because I like to watch the stars in the night.
The pink stands for my favorite color.
The sun stands for me
because I am strong like the sun.
by Karen
Roamin' Nature
Friends and Romans.
I love hiking.
The river is deep
and blue to my liking.
The hills are filled
with grass and trees.
The sunset sinks,
down to my knees.
by Ahren Lahvis
Beautiful Guadalahara
My flag has a pencil, paper and a blue crayon.
Their colors remind me of my hometown Guadalahara
Evening blue ocean and yellow skies.
The pencil makes the rest of the memories,
Sea gulls, palm trees and people
Walking by the shore.
by Jorge
Feelings for Writing
I'm happy when I see an exclamation point.
I'm confused when I see a question mark.
I don't care how I feel.
I just care that they make sense.
I understand them,
So why should I be confused?
I should be happy I know!
by Shengyeng
My Flag is Cool
My flag has five circles
that are red.
They belong to my family.
There is a sun that I remember
from Mexico,
because in Mexico it is so hot.
I have water,
because I like to swim a lot.
The background is purple,
because it is one of
My favorite colors.
by Osmara
This is Me
My flag's green background
with the white and red arrows
represents Mexico.
Mexico was my first hometown.
It's where I am from.
The arrows represent movement,
which is what I love to do,
like sports and wrestling,
active things.
by Sergio
Flying
There is a tree in the middle of my flag.
Butterflies are flying.
The butterflies are beautiful.
I like to chase butterflies.
by Yao
Lincoln students in Marc Kornblatt's fifth grade class recently received a special package from Oaxaca, Mexico. In their enthusiam, they got a bit carried away with the packing material!
Once the paper had settled, they had a brightly painted, carved wooden lion that will eventually find its home in the school's library.
The lion, which is Lincoln's mascot, was sculpted and painted by Armando Jimenez Aragon and his wife Antonia Hernandez, a husband and wife team from the town of Arrazolla, Mexico.
Later this month, the two will visit Lincoln and Midvale schools to demonstrate their craft. Some Lincoln students will get a chance to help Ms. Hernandez paint the final touches on the lion.
Oaxacan woodcarvers and painters are renowned for their colorful, finely detailed work. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished lion.
First crate arrives from Oaxaca.
Second crate arrives from Oaxaca. Our custodian John helps us unpack and discover the beautiful carvings nestled inside.
This special visit has been made possible by funding from:
the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, The Foundation for Madison Public Schools, and the Midvale-Lincoln PTA.
Last update: September 23, 2006
Editor/publisher: Eileen Potts Dawson epottsdawson@madison.k12.wi.us
Webmaster: webmaster@madison.k12.wi.us