Module I: Teaching Opinion Writing Through Patriotic Song

Table of Contents

Module 1:  Teaching Opinion Writing Through Patriotic Song:
A.    The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812
B.     This Land Is Your Land and the 1960s
Module 2:   Teaching Informational Writing Through Patriotic Song:
A.     The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812(more detail)
B.     Oh! Suzanna and the Civil War Period
Module 3: Teaching Narrative Writing Through Patriotic Song:
A.      John Phillip Sousa and the Early 1900
B.      Student’s Choice and Modern Times
Module 4:  Teaching Historical Fiction Writing Through Patriotic Song:
A.       Folk Songs and the Mid-Twentieth Century

I.     OPINION WRITING THROUGH PATRIOTIC SONG 

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Subjects:  Writing, Social Studies, Music Grades:   3 – 5 by Judith Moery Quon Phoenix Academy, Apple Valley School D. Apple Valley, California

Goals and Objectives: (for all modules)

  1. Students will demonstrate background knowledge in the history of patriotic song.
  2. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the common core writing standards.
  3. Students will grow in cultural awareness in music and the humanities and sense of community.

DESCRIPTION:  

These lessons allow the teaching of third grade common core writing standards by enabling students to write opinion, informational, and narrative writing through the knowledge and analysis of the patriotic song tradition in American history.

Materials Needed

  1.  Equipment/Computer for playing DVSs and music
  2.  Children’s Books (available in most public libraries) such as: *Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner by Lynea Bowdish *The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier *This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie *The Dust Bowl (Through the Lens) by Martin Sadler *Woody Guthrie by Bonnie Christensen *Martin’s Big Words by Rappaport *The Wall by Eve Bunting
  3.   Writing Paper
  4. “War of 1812” power point

Activities:

PART I:  (model lesson) Using a thorough introduction to the “The Star-Spangled Banner”, its lyrics, history, and importance in the 1960s as background knowledge, the teacher will model writing an opinion piece using well reasoned support based upon the topic: “The Star-Spangled Banner” Inspires Patriotism in Me.  Please see attached procedure.

PART II: Using a thorough introduction to “This Land is Your Land”, its lyrics, history, and importance in the 1960s as background knowledge, the students will write an opinion piece using well reasoned support based upon the topic: “This Land is Your Land” Inspires Patriotism in Me. Please see attached procedure.

Resources

  1.  Copy of original Francis Scott Key Song Writing
  2.  Smithsonian Institution education website
  3.  “The Star-Spangled Banner” music,
  4.  “The Star-Spangled Banner” words to print and read
  5.  “This Land is Your Land” video.
    6.    Smithsonian “The Flag in the 60s” website
    7.  National Treasures: The Star-Spangled Banner worksheet,
    8.  Carter Family “When the World is on Fire” video
    9.  Woody Guthrie singing “This Land is Your Land” video
    10. Writing Paper

Standards: Common Core Reading/Language Arts standards attached

Judith Moery Quon

 About the Author: Judith Moery Quon, 34 years of teaching experience at the middle school, high school, elementary, community college and adult levels; presently 3rd Grade Teacher, Reading/Writing Intervention Teacher, Apple Valley School District, Apple Valley, California, Judy_Quon@avusd.org

About Banner Moments:

Made available as part of the 2014 Banner Moments K-12 Institute—a project of the American Music Institute of the University of Michigan and the Star Spangled Music Foundation, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities