Posted by Stella Ramsdell on February 17, 2007 at 00:07:07:
I have two choruses at Hankins Middle School (1300-1400 student), and I teach 30 K-3 music classes(1000 Students) at two elementary schools in Theodore, AL. For the past 18 years one of the first things my students learn has been the "National Anthem" and its history. On Veterans day we have three Assemblies at the middle school. Our local High School ROTC Color Guard presents the colors, then our chorus, and Adv. Band lead our students body in singing the "National Anthem" and the Pledge is said. Our students Council presents the History of the "National Anthem", Then we have a "Flag Folding Ceremony" in which, the Color Guard folds the flag while the student council explains what each fold represents. Because it is Veterans day we have several other events..."Tomb of the Unknown Soldier"...Origins of Veteran's Day... and we always have a special guest speaker...A Veteran.
Our Art Teacher Helps With Decorations. Our Language Arts Teachers have writing assignments about the "Anthem"...rhyme patter...Our Social Studies/Civic Teachers also discuss it's history, Fransic Scott Key...and it goes on.
I Think This project is really great! This site has given me many more ideas. I'll see what I can come up with next.