Elementary | Please Stand for the National Anthem
One class period
Autumn 1814 Secession Threat in New England (9 minutes)
I: Culture and Cultural Diversity
III: People, Places, and Environments
Canadian (Ontario) Concepts
Canadian (Ontario) Specific Expectations – Seventh Grade
Describe the impact of the War of 1812 on the development of Canada
Students will be able to:
gather and organize information about the important accomplishments of individuals and groups living in their neighborhoods and communities
gather and organize information about the traditions transmitted by various groups living in their neighborhoods and communities
1. What does Nationalism mean?
2. What is the function of a National Anthem?
3. What does the Flag mean to you?
1. The teacher will begin by asking the students, “What does Nationalism mean?” and defining the word “Nationalism” – which is loyalty or devotion to one’s nation.
2. The teacher will discuss what symbolism means and how the American Flag symbolizes the U.S. (stars, stripes, 13 colonies) or the Canadian Flag (maple leaf, red, white) symbolizes Canada. Other symbols can be discussed as well. For example: school mascot and colors, religious symbols, icons, etc.
3. The teacher will play The War of 1812 segment with Francis Scott Key.
4. After watching, the teacher will discuss with the students how Francis Scott Key displayed his nationalism and what the American Flag symbolized to him. The teacher will lead the discussion by asking why Francis Scott Key wrote the anthem and what became of it.
5. The teacher and students will discuss things that symbolize their school, community, and themselves and compile this list on an overhead projector or smartboard for the entire class to see.
6. The students and teacher will take these words and complete the sort that is provided to create their own anthem for their classroom. The teacher will project the sort for the entire class to see or provide a copy for all students.
7. This lesson can be done in conjunction with an ELA class that focuses on literary terms.
The students will create an original anthem that symbolizes their classroom and the individuals and groups within it. An optional, additional activity could be to design a flag that symbolizes their classroom.
Related PBS Resources
Revolutionary War Music
Investigate some of the more familiar and famous songs of the Revolutionary War period and how music was used to convey messages of patriotism and highlight popular sentiments.
Songs of War
Explore the relationship between real-life events and popular music, focusing on a song written during the U.S.-Mexican War.
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