Title – Music in America

By – Ariana

Primary Subject – Social Studies

Secondary Subjects – Music, Language Arts

Grade Level – 5

Theme of Lesson:

“America the Beautiful” and

“The Star Spangled Banner”

Overview of the lesson:

• Students will learn about songs that express American Ideals.

Standards:

NCSS Standards:

X. Civil Ideals and Practices

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic.

California Social Studies State Standards:

5.7 Students describe the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution and analyze the Constitution’s significance as the foundation of the American republic.

6. Know the songs that express American ideals (e.g., “America the Beautiful,” “The Star Spangled Banner”).

Materials Required:

• Venn diagram
  
• Copy of the song “America the Beautiful”
  
• Copy of the song “The Star Spangled Banner”
  
• Books:
  America the Beautiful: The Story Behind Our National Hymn
  
  By Liz Sonneborn

  Star-Spangled Banner: The Story Behind our National Anthem
  
  By Liz Sonneborn

Goals of the Lesson:

• Students will comprehend the importance of the national anthem and national hymn and its meaning.
  
• Students will define what is an “American Ideal.”

Objectives:

• Students will reflect though writing their beliefs and translation of both songs.
  
• Students will use a Venn diagram to compare both songs.

Opening of the Lesson (15 minutes):

Begin the lesson by posting the question, “What are ideals?” on the white board. Give students a couple of minutes to write their responses down in their journal. Next ask, “What are American Ideals?” Give the students a couple of minutes to respond. Then have a class discussion and write their responses on the board. Finally, explain to them that they will be analyzing the songs “America the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner” and explaining their meaning.

Activities:

Day 1 (30 minutes)

Begin by reading the story America the Beautiful: The Story Behind Our National Hymn. Once read ask the students questions in order to check for understanding. Next, provide each student with a copy of the lyrics and have them write a response in which they describe the meaning and importance of this national hymn and how do feel about it.

Day 2 (45minutes)

Begin by reading the story Star-Spangled Banner: The Story Behind our National Anthem. Once again have a short discussion with the class in order to check for understanding. Next, provide them with a copy of the national anthem and have them write a response in which they describe the meaning and importance and how it makes them feel. Finally, provide each student with a Venn diagram and have them compare the two songs. If students do not finish in class have them finish for homework.

Day 3 (30 minutes)

Have the students share their responses informally with the class and discuss.

Closing:

In closing break up the class in half and have one side sing the national hymn and the other half sing the national anthem.

Student Assessment:

The responses that the students complete individually will be used to assess their understanding and translation of the national anthem and national hymn. They will also be assesses through in class discussion.

Extension of the Lesson:

• It would be fun to have the class create a national anthem or national hymn.
  
• Another activity would be to have the students research how both songs where created.
  

Resources Necessary:

America the Beautiful: The Story Behind Our National Hymn

Liz Sonneborn

ISBN: 0791073327

Star-Spangled Banner: The Story Behind our National Anthem

By Liz Sonneborn

ISBN: 0791073378

E-Mail

Ariana

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