Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the story behind our star-spangled banner, the American flag, and its significance in American history.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencils
• Access to a computer or library books
• Printouts of the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner"
• Optional: Art supplies for creating a flag

Activities

1. Start by discussing the importance of symbols and flags in our society. Ask the student to think about what the American flag represents and why it is significant.
2. Introduce the story behind "The Star-Spangled Banner" and its connection to the American flag. Explain that it was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.
3. Read the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner" together, discussing the meaning of the words and any unfamiliar vocabulary.
4. Encourage the student to research and find out more about the War of 1812 and the events that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song. They can use books or online resources for their research.
5. Once the student has gathered enough information, have them write a short paragraph or draw a picture summarizing what they learned about the War of 1812 and its connection to the American flag.
6. Optional: If the student is interested, they can create their own version of the American flag using art supplies. They can add any symbols or elements that they feel represent the United States.

Third Grade Talking Points

• "The American flag is an important symbol of our country. It represents our unity, freedom, and pride."
• "The Star-Spangled Banner is our national anthem. It was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812."
• "During the War of 1812, the British attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Francis Scott Key watched the battle and was inspired to write the song when he saw the American flag still flying in the morning."
• "The lyrics of the song describe the battle and the resilience of the American people. It became a popular patriotic song and was officially recognized as our national anthem in 1931."
• "The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain. It was fought over issues like trade and impressment of American sailors."
• "Learning about the history of our flag and national anthem helps us understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by those who came before us."