Seven Surprising Star-Spangled Facts

Key had a father who fought in George Washington’s Continental Army, but an uncle who was a British loyalist. Key was deeply religious and had considered a career as a minister instead of a lawyer. Key and his wife Mary (aka. Polly) had 11 kids. Key inherited a family plantation as well as slaves. He…

Banner Moment #4: Inspiration—Key Witnesses American Victory (& History)

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Banner Moment #1—August 1, 1779—Francis Scott Key is Born

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Music Lesson-Learning about Francis Scott Key and the song The Star-Spangled Banner

Students will be learning about Francis Scott Key, the Battle at Fort McHenry, and the story of the composition of The Star-Spangled Banner.  Students will be learning to sing the song, The Star-Spangled Banner through several methods such as listening, repeating the words in rhythm, and reading the words and following along with the music…

Visual Art Lesson—Studying Paintings of the Battle at Fort McHenry

In preparation for the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner, students will learn about the Battle at Fort McHenry by studying paintings portraying this event.  Students will also study the painting By the Dawn’s Early Light painted for the 100th anniversary of the Battle at Fort McHenry. Lesson: 1. Study three paintings of the Battle…

O Say Can You Sequence?

Grades 2-4 by Kathryn S. Gallagher PS13Q The Greatest Flag That Ever Flew details the creation of “The Star Spangled Banner” through the eyes of Caroline Pickersgill, daughter of flag maker Mary Pickersgill. Students will sequence this key event in American history, and give voice to Grace Wisher, a young apprentice largely lost to history. Goals and Objectives…

American Patriotism: The Symbols that Bind Us

*Star Spangled Banner PowerPoint * American Patriotic Symbols PowerPoint           American Patriotism: The Symbols that Bind Us U.S. History, Secondary Subject Grade Levels (8 and 11) by B. Anguiano, Laguna Creek High School There are several lesson components connected to the Star Spangled Banner presented here, which can be used in isolation or in connection…

The Star-Spangled Banner across the Arts

 2nd grade lesson by Jennifer Butler, Northwoods Fine Arts Academy Sand Springs, Oklahoma 2nd grade students will be learning about the Battle at Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key, and the composition of The Star-Spangled Banner through music, art, and dance.  Students will study paintings about the Battle at Fort McHenry in art class, learn about Francis…

The Music in Me

by Melissa Zirkel 1st Grade Whittier Elementary School, Kansas City Public School District Students will explore people, places, and things of the past and draw conclusions about the lives of others in relationship to their own. Students will also engage in hands-on, interactive activities that allow students to create, translate, and innovate modern approaches in song…

Module II: Informational Writing through Patriotic Song

A.   “Star Spangled Banner” Model Writing Lesson Details: What important information do the Lyrics of “The Star Spangled Banner” and related art works tell us about the life and times of Francis Scott Key and others who lived about 1812? Here, since we are writing for information, we will go into more depth concerning the…