The National Anthem Webquest
The Star Spangled Banner
INTRODUCTION
You are an American Musical Archeologist from the year 2031. There has been discussion over the
past 20 years that the “The Star Spangled Banner,” the United States National Anthem, is going to be replaced by
a different song. Why? Mostly because Americans do not know the words and only know it as “the song at
the beginning of sporting events.”
TASK
1. To research the origins of the music and lyrics to “The Star Spangled Banner.”
2. To defend it so it remains the US National Anthem.
PROCEDURE
Use these websites as starting points to answer the following 11 questions. Use at least two (2) of these sites.
Bound books are also acceptable as long as they are referenced (see intranet Library – Reference Links –
Citing Sources).
1. What was the reason for The War of 1812?
2. Who was President of the United States during that time?
3. How many states were in the US at the time?
4. What was daily life like in the US during that time?
5. Who was Francis Scott Key?
6. Why was he detained?
7. Why did Key write the poem?
8. How did the poem get set to music?
9. From where does the music originate?
10. How and When was this song adopted as the United States' National anthem?
11. What would the other choices have been if "The Star Spangled Banner" was not chosen?
COMPARE
Compare the nationalism of the US National Anthem with the nationalism portrayed in another country’s National Anthem.
OPINION
Does this song reflect your feelings as a citizen of the United States? Why or why not?
PRESENTATION
THE REPORT
Minimun of 3 pages in essay format presenting answers to all of the questions with a clearly defined conclusion.
Font: Times New Roman or Arial 12, double spaced.
Cite websites and references. (www.easybib.com)
OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES
http://www.amclassical.com/patriotic.shtml
http://www.colonialmusic.org/
http://www.contemplator.com/folk.html
http://francisscottkey.org/
http://www.usflag.org/francis.scott.key.html
http://francisscottkey.info/index.html
Due, Monday, June 2, 2014
You are an American Musical Archeologist from the year 2031. There has been discussion over the
past 20 years that the “The Star Spangled Banner,” the United States National Anthem, is going to be replaced by
a different song. Why? Mostly because Americans do not know the words and only know it as “the song at
the beginning of sporting events.”
TASK
1. To research the origins of the music and lyrics to “The Star Spangled Banner.”
2. To defend it so it remains the US National Anthem.
PROCEDURE
Use these websites as starting points to answer the following 11 questions. Use at least two (2) of these sites.
Bound books are also acceptable as long as they are referenced (see intranet Library – Reference Links –
Citing Sources).
- American Treasures of the Library of Congress : Memory
- The Star-Spangled Banner : The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem
1. What was the reason for The War of 1812?
2. Who was President of the United States during that time?
3. How many states were in the US at the time?
4. What was daily life like in the US during that time?
5. Who was Francis Scott Key?
6. Why was he detained?
7. Why did Key write the poem?
8. How did the poem get set to music?
9. From where does the music originate?
10. How and When was this song adopted as the United States' National anthem?
11. What would the other choices have been if "The Star Spangled Banner" was not chosen?
COMPARE
Compare the nationalism of the US National Anthem with the nationalism portrayed in another country’s National Anthem.
OPINION
Does this song reflect your feelings as a citizen of the United States? Why or why not?
PRESENTATION
THE REPORT
Minimun of 3 pages in essay format presenting answers to all of the questions with a clearly defined conclusion.
Font: Times New Roman or Arial 12, double spaced.
Cite websites and references. (www.easybib.com)
OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES
http://www.amclassical.com/patriotic.shtml
http://www.colonialmusic.org/
http://www.contemplator.com/folk.html
http://francisscottkey.org/
http://www.usflag.org/francis.scott.key.html
http://francisscottkey.info/index.html
Due, Monday, June 2, 2014