National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: What the Star Spangled Banner Means
Thorough two-part lesson plan that explains the historical significance of the Star Spangled Banner and the American flag. Includes a link to a wonderful site about the history of the American flag. Requires the students to think about...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: The Star Spangled Banner
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart helps students understand the Star Spangled Banner, an important American Symbol.
Read Works
Read Works: Let Freedom Ring
[Free Registration/Login Required] Several songs representative of the United States are provided in this informational text: "My Country 'Tis of Thee"; "America"; and "The Star-Spangled Banner". A question sheet is available to help...
Read Works
Read Works: The Anthems of America
[Free Registration/Login Required] This five-page PDF nonfiction passage "The Anthems of America" focuses on the traditions of July 4th and the origin of the anthems of America including "The Star- Spangled Banner. It is followed by 10...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: The Star Spangled Banner
This resource provides information about the history of the flag, and events of 1814 that affected Francis Scott Key, author of the anthem.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: The Star Spangled Banner: The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem
Use this site to discover the history of the flag that was the inspiration for our national anthem. Take the quiz and test your knowledge of the American flag. Included is information about the War of 1812.
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame: Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key is known for composing "The Star Spangled Banner". This resource offers a brief biography of him and his inspiration for writing the song.
Library of Congress
Loc: Star Spangled Banner Song
A look at the origins of the American National Anthem. Verses were added and changed over the years until the 'Star Spangled Banner' evolved into its present-day form.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution: Star Spangled Banner and the War of 1812
This site discusses the history behind the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key, written during the War of 1812. Visitors can view an image of the actual American flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore and...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Fort Mc Henry
The National Park Service maintains the famous fort that is known for the creation of the Star Spangled Banner. Site provides a menu of items for related information.
Read Works
Read Works: A Star Spangled Song
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Star Spangled Banner. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
The War of 1812: The Capture of Fort Niagara
Brief description through text and video of the capture of Fort Niagara and the commissioning of the Star Spangled Banner.
Other
The War of 1812: Battle of Baltimore
Brief overview through video and text of the Battle of Baltimore as the turning point in the War of 1812 and place where Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: The Write Stuff
Right now you are probably using a pencil to do your school work. But do you know where the pencil came from, or how it is made? Did you know that the Star Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key was first written in pencil? And...
Read Works
Read Works: O Say, Can You . . . Sing?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about teaching people the words to the national anthem. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Whigs, Democrats and "Know Nothings"
Jackson's political opponents, united by little more than a common opposition to him, eventually coalesced into a common party called the Whigs, a British term signifying opposition to Jackson's "monarchial rule." Although they organized...
Curated OER
The Star Spangled Banner
A collection of forty-four primary resources--historical documents, literary texts, visual images, maps--illuminated and contextualized by notes, thematic questions, and text-specific discussion questions for classroom instruction and...
Curated OER
Farewell to the Star Spangled Banner
A collection of forty-four primary resources--historical documents, literary texts, visual images, maps--illuminated and contextualized by notes, thematic questions, and text-specific discussion questions for classroom instruction and...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Star Spangled Banner
This guide book entry provides the history and text of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the U.S. national anthem.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 - January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the words to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Abraham Whipple
Abraham Whipple (26 September 1733 - 27 May 1819) was an American revolutionary naval commander. Whipple was born near Providence, Rhode Island and chose to be a seafarer early in his life. He embarked upon a career in the lucrative West...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Vicinity of Baltimore, 1814
A sketch map of the vicinity of Baltimore during the War of 1812 showing British movements after the burning of Washington in August, 1814. The map shows the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay, the British fleet position in the bay, the...