Pledge of Allegiance & National Songs

Description of Learning Unit:

In this unit, your child will learn the words and history of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner, and America the Beautiful. Your child will create collages to illustrate the Pledge and America the Beautiful, as well as design his or her own starry banner. A bookmark, online activity, and a book are included to reinforce the concepts. This unit is designed to last one week, depending on how often you teach history. 

List of Objectives:

• To learn the words and history of the Pledge of Allegiance.
  
• To learn the words and history of the Star Spangled Banner.
• To learn the words and history of America the Beautiful.

List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:

Links to Related Pathways (if any):

Links to Online Lessons:

Learn the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and the proper way to recite it.

Learn about the event that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner.

Learn how this poem became a popular national song.

Reference Websites:

Learn the history behind the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner.

This article provides an interesting look at Francis Scott Key, the battle that inspired the song, and how the song became the national anthem.

Hands-On Projects and Activities:

Your child will learn what it means to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and make a collage as a visual reminder of what the pledge means.

The banner that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his song was a flag. Ask your child what kind of a star-spangled banner he or she would like to make.

Print a copy of the lyrics to America the Beautiful. Then, have your child find pictures that represent the beauty of America and make a collage.

Print off the black and white template and have your child color the bookmark.

Print the poem and book pages. Have your child cut out the pages and staple them together to make a book.

Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):

This interactive activity allows your child to explore the flag that inspired the song and learn more about the flag's history.

Watch the beautiful photography in this slideshow of photos from around the country.

Free Online Video:

Listen to a recitation and musical version of the pledge while viewing scenes from around the country.

Sing along with this video rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Free Online Audio: 

Listen to these audio clips and sing along. Lyrics are provided.

Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):