Music Activities and Lesson Plans - Patriotic Songs

Every month my students learn a new patriotic song.  This helps my second graders with their English Language Development, increases their knowledge about the USA, encourages the development of patriotism, improves their singing skill, and is enjoyable too!  I start with easier songs and gradually move to the more difficult songs.  By the end of the year, the class is ready to sing for the whole school at our annual flag day assembly.

Here is the list of ten songs in what I consider order of difficulty:
This Land is Your Land
You're a Grand Old Flag
America the Beautiful
America (My country tis of Thee)
My Country Tis of Thee
Star Spangled Banner
God Bless America
God Bless the USA
Stars and Stripes Forever (sing chorus only, discuss the meanings of the many verses)

Submitted by: Guy Swentek - Las Flores,  California