My Country Tis of Thee Lesson Plans

First graders will learn the words to two American ideals songs: "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "America the Beautiful." They will also learn the Pledge of Allegiance and what it means to recite it. This is a great resource for your learners to discover the importance of American ideal songs.

Second graders learn the national anthems of other countries of the world. Using the melody of America/My Country 'Tis of Thee, they write their own anthem.

Young scholars brainstorm lists of songs that were written in response to American wars; consider the patterns in the lists they create.

Learners are introduced to the Bill of Rights and US Constitution. In this US government activity, students encounter multiple aspects of the Bill of Rights. Learners will engage in an on-going encounter with the national anthem, the pledge of allegiance, posters, images and websites about how the Bill of Rights keeps us safe.

Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing points of view in the song.  Students sing "Yankee Doodle" as well as other classic patriotic songs in class.

Students examine and analyze the "I have a Dream" speech. In this activity on the life of Martin Luther King, students will visualize Dr. King's speech through photos and video. They then design a symbol representing a form of freedom not yet in existence.

Students explore schools during the Colonial period. In this American history lesson, students participate in a simulation of school days in Colonial America. Students visit a museum and use the schoolhouse as a setting for their simulation. Students follow a daily routine led by the teacher including saying the Pledge of Allegiance, reciting moral lessons, and reading in groups. Students complete a Venn diagram comparing their Colonial school experience with the modern school day.

Fourth graders analyze colonial rule and policies with regard to the causes of the American Revolution. In this Colonial America simulation lesson, 4th graders role play in an Independence Game, reacting to a variety of "events" that happen. Students respond in an events journal about their role and record their thoughts, feelings, and decisions in each situation.

Fourth graders explore the concept of civil rights and the ways in which Dr. Martin Luther Kind and others utilized non-violent protests to achieve their goals. They participate in a variety of discussion and role play activities during this comprehensive unit.

Fifth graders closely examine the effects of slavery on American society giving special emphasis to the issue of social injustice, the life of Harriet Tubman, the underground railroad and the achievements of Abraham Lincoln during this month long unit. Students conduct research, write fictional accounts of historical events, recreate an underground railroad at their school and participate in role playing activities.