Dr. Jerry Dragoo is nose to nose with a striped skunk, smiling.

What does patriotism mean, and what makes someone a good leader? This week on The Children’s Hour, bilingual eighth graders from Washington Middle School explore the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, DACA, and the American flag. Then, fourth graders from Adobe Acres Elementary share their thoughts on what leadership looks like. Tune in for a powerful conversation led by kids about justice, unity, and standing up for what’s right.

What does the Pledge of Allegiance really mean? And what makes someone a great leader? On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we explore patriotism and leadership with bilingual eighth graders from Washington Middle School and fourth graders from Adobe Acres Elementary in Albuquerque. These students share powerful insights about what it means to love your country, and why some people protest the pledge while others embrace it.

We learn about the words in the Pledge of Allegiance and how different groups understand patriotism in unique ways. From DACA recipients and the history of the flag to peaceful protests and the struggles for equality, these middle schoolers reflect on what freedom and justice for all truly look like.

Then, fourth graders describe the traits of a good leader, including kindness, fairness, bravery, and honesty—naming heroes from history and today, like Malala, Barack Obama, and Martin Luther King Jr.

This show also includes a short history of the Pledge of Allegiance and the reasons it has changed over time. We think about what it means to take a stand—or a knee—for the things you believe in, and how young people can be leaders in their own communities by learning, listening, and speaking out.

Katie Stone, is our Executive Producer and Host. This episode also included production help from Marcy Krivonen, Sarah Gabrielli, and Thaniel Lentz.

Many thanks to Albuquerque Public Schools teachers Allison Hawks at Washington Middle School and Christina Rincon at Adobe Acres Elementary for sharing their brilliant students’ work with us.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour, Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit, and is distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. 

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All rights reserved. 

Please note: not all songs heard on The Children’s Hour can be found in Spotify.

Patriotism And Leadership

titleartistalbumdurationlabel
Whose Flag? (feat. Chris Wagoner & Lynette Margulies)Stuart StottsWhose Flag? (feat. Chris Wagoner & Lynette Margulies) - Single02:41 2020 1781933 Records DK
State LaughsTom ChapinMoonboat02:53 2009 Gadfly Records
Reveille Variation: Drum Call / Slow Scotch / Quick Scotch / Yankee Doodle / Montezuma's RevengeThe United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps4th of July02:17 2014 Patriotic Music Unlimited
Slow DialBlue Dot SessionsCauldron02:00 2018 Blue Dot Sessions
Bom JardimLobo LocoCOLORES OF LIFE01:45Lobo Loco - CC
Slow Slow SkyBlue Dot SessionsFeathers - EP00:36 2015 Blue Dot Sessions
Lakota ProcessionLakota GeorgeFlute Man00:52Lakota George
Esta Es Tu TierraSonia De Los SantosMi Viaje: De Nuevo Leon To the New York Island02:45 2015 Festival Five Records
This Land Is Your LandArlo Guthrie & Woody GuthrieFreedom: Songs from the Heart of America01:35 This compilation (P) 2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
This Land Is Also MineSonia De Los SantosEsperanza03:18 2021 Golondrina
That Old American FlagBilly KellyThe Family Garden03:15 2011 Billy Kelly
No Token, No MilkKeith MunslowDressed Up for the Party00:20 2007 Needlenose Music
God Bless My UnderwearHans MayerSee You Later Alligator01:42 2010 Myther Music
America the BeautifulKeb' Mo'Freedom: Songs from the Heart of America03:34 This compilation (P) 2002 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
I Hear America Singing (feat. 123 Andres)Red YarnI Hear America Singing (feat. 123 Andres) single3:57 2018 Fonovisa Records, Under exclusive license to Fonovisa Records, a division of Univision Music LLC.
Song of FreedomPeter Lenton and FriendsProud Like a Mountain (Deluxe Version)01:22 2010 Peter Jonathan Lenton
Mah-Na, Mah-NaLeroy HolmesUltra-Lounge, Vol. Eighteen: Bottoms Up! (Remastered)00:29This Compilation 1997 Capitol Records, LLC
Until You're Free (feat. SaulPaul & 123 Andres)Alphabet RockersThe Love03:19 2019 School Time Music LLC
What Is a Leader? (feat. Rani Arbo & Some Smart Kids)Alastair MoockBe a Pain - An Album for Young (And Old) Leaders02:40 2020 Alastair Moock
We Came to AmericaFlor BromleyFiesta Global03:17 2020 Flor Bromley
FireworksThe Laurie Berkner BandSuperhero01:09 2016 Two Tomatoes Records, LLC., Distributed by Razor & Tie Recordings via Concord Music Group, Inc.

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