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Star Spangled Banner

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

LA: Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

LA: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

LA: Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

SS: Compare and contrast different stories or accounts about past events, people, places, or situations, identifying how they contribute to our understanding of the past.

SS: Identify and use various sources for reconstructing the past, such as documents, letters, diaries, maps, textbooks, photos, and others.

VA: Students will initiate making works of art and design by experimenting, imagining and identifying content.

Adaptations

Classroom Resources include: The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner by Patricia A. Pingry, The Star-Spangled Banner by Peter Spier.

Students research the history of Fort McHenry and its role in the War of 1812.

Students research and write a biography of Francis Scott Key.