National Park Service
Pulley Systems Used at Fort McHenry
What a great opportunity to integrate science into your lesson on the War of 1812! Discover how pulley systems were used to move 1,000 lb. cannons at the Battle of Fort McHenry, and to raise the flag that would inspire Francis Scott Key...
Curated OER
Orchestra: Focus on Rhythm and Arranging
High school orchestra is a great place to play music, like The Star Spangled Banner. Upper graders create new rhythms to the old song and perform them with the class. They rehearse their updated versions of the song using their...
Curated OER
Star Spangled Banner: For Orchestra
Middle schoolers practice playing "The Star Spangled Banner" while focusing on phrasing. They work with the instructor to mark the lyrics and music, then play the song using the phrasing indicated. Several cross-curricular extension...
Curated OER
Focus on Form
Young musicians discuss musical form found in the song, The Star Spangled Banner. They review their parts for the song then practice playing it as a group. Cross-curricular activity suggestions are included.
Curated OER
General Music: Star Spangled Banner
"The Star Spangled Banner" became our country's national anthem, but why? Second and third grade musicians read about the song, analyze the lyrics, and discuss patriotism. They then complete a related word search.
Curated OER
Band Formation Diagrams
I hope this resource will be helpful to someone, it's a plan for organizing the high school marching band. It includes a very brief description of a 64 count marching band transition played to the tune of "The Star Spangled Banner "and...
Curated OER
Focus on Phrasing
The band practices The Star Spangled Banner, while focusing on phrasing. They discuss musical phrasing then practice incorporating it in their performance. Cross curricular extension activities are included.
Curated OER
The Star-Spangled Banner
Get your kids moving as they learn about the history of the United States National Anthem. Scholars examine the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, and the meaning behind The Star Spangled Banner as they listen to an 18-minute...
Curated OER
Poetry and Our National Anthem
Students express the meaning of the Star-Spangled Banner. In this American history lesson, students read through the national anthem and complete an activities from a list of choices. Some choices include: writing the anthem in your own...
Curated OER
A History of the War of 1812 and The Star-Spangled Banner
Students examine the causes and outcomes of the War of 1812, and determine the chronology of the Star-Spangled Banner. In this War of 1812 lesson plan, students learn vocabulary and read a narrative about the War of 1812 before...
Curated OER
Places Where I See the Flag
Students examine the symbolism of the American flag and places where they see the flag. They sing the Star Spangled Banner, develop a list of places where they see the flag, and complete a page for a class flag book.
Curated OER
Star Spangled Banner
Learners use the Internet to discover the basic information about the American Flag. They explore how to fold a flag and which holidays to use the flag. They compare Betsy Ross's flag to the ones of today. They discover the story of the...
Curated OER
The Star-Spangled Banner
Students explore the Star-Spangled Banner. In this civics lesson, students read the lyrics of the song as well as a handout that details its creation. Students respond to discussion questions from the handout.
Curated OER
The Star Spangled Banner
Students perform Star Spangled Banner, and analyze purpose and meaning of patriotic songs.
Curated OER
Star -Spangled Illustrations
Third graders create a PowerPoint presentation to show their patriotism and express their thoughts on the meaning of The Star-Spangled Banner with this exciting and creative activity.
Curated OER
A Wing and a Prayer
Fourth graders improvise missing harmony accompaniment for a soloist performing "The Star Spangled Banner." Groups select several familiar melodies that they can produce while individual students take turns improvising a new harmony part.
Curated OER
Introduction to American Literature
Eleventh graders define freedom, write about what the Star Spangled Banner means to them, and in cooperative groups write a new verse to the national anthem.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: The Star Spangled Banner: The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem
Use this site to discover the history of the flag that was the inspiration for our national anthem. Take the quiz and test your knowledge of the American flag. Included is information about the War of 1812.
Library of Congress
Loc: Patriotic Melodies
The Library of Congress site profiles 26 American patriotic songs with commentary, supporting visual material, and recordings of "America the Beautiful," "Fanfare for the Common Man" and the like.
Other
All Four Stanzas: The National Anthem
Asimov (1920-1992 CE) explains the background for the National Anthem and provides the lyrics for all four verses.
Other
The War of 1812: The Capture of Fort Niagara
Brief description through text and video of the capture of Fort Niagara and the commissioning of the Star Spangled Banner.
Library of Congress
Loc: Patriotic Melodies
The stories behind patriotic songs that have become part of American musical culture, such as "Anchors Away," "Over There," "U.S. Air Force Song," and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again." Drill into the site to find lyrics, listen to...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Things to Do at Home
Families can come together through games designed to make history something fun and integral to family life. Build a sod house like prairie settlers did in the 1800s. Go back in time to visit five families that lived in the same house...
PBS
Pbs Lesson Plan: The American Flag
A lesson from the (9-11-01) PBS, "America Responds," series where learners examine the history, importance, and pride associated with the American Flag. This lesson engages students in discussion and a variety of "patriotic" activities...