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Star Spangled Banner

What is the origin of our national anthem? Students will explore the history of Fort McHenry and how it inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that would eventually become The Star Spangled Banner.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Fort McHenry is a fort in Baltimore, Maryland, best known for its role in the War of 1812 when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy. Have students research the fort as well as the events of the battle and the sight that inspired Francis Scott Key to write what would eventually become The Star Spangled Banner. Who was the fort named for? Who was Francis Scott Key? Why was he in Baltimore during this battle? What is a garrison flag? How did the Great Garrison Flag inspire Francis Scott Key?

  • Step 2

    Have students look at images of the Great Garrison Flag, which is now on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Have them also read through the full version of The Star Spangled Banner, which actually has four verses. Have them choose a line to illustrate. They can create the illustration on white paper and glue it onto a larger piece of construction paper. Ask them to write the lyrics they illustrated around the illustration on the background paper.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their artwork and discuss the lyrics they illustrated and why they choose the particular line.

Standards

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Analyze the causes and consequences of past events and developments, and place these in the context of the institutions, values and beliefs of the period in which they took place. 

SS: Individual Development and Identity: Describe factors important to the development of personal identity and the context of identity within families, peer or affinity groups, schools, communities, and nationalities. 

Adaptations

Have students learn about Mary Young Pickersgill, the woman who made the Great Garrison flag that was flying at Fort McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. She achieved success in her flag-making business and became active in social issues, such as housing and employment for disadvantaged women. 

Challenge students to write an anthem for their school or community. Have them work in small groups and brainstorm what makes their school or community special. Then have them brainstorm an event at which they could introduce this song.