Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Preservation and the Power of Light"

The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem Homepage

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:31:58 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will explore the story of the Star-Spangled Banner by learning about the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore; Mary Pickersgill and the making of the flag; Francis Scott Key and the song that became the national anthem; the legacy of the flag and its use as a patriotic symbol; and the efforts undertaken to preserve the flag as a national treasure. This resource includes interactive activities and educational resources that can be used to further enhance this exploration of the flag that inspired the national anthem.

Making the Star-Spangled Banner Homepage

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:30:19 GMT

In this activity, children will learn the story of the flag that inspired the national anthem. An OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner, the resource includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading the Flag Maker

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:05:13 GMT

In this activity, children will actively read The Flag Maker, using these suggested reading questions. They will be better able to read for understanding and answer questions using written and image resources. It is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

The Museum Environment and Preservation

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:05:14 GMT

Through discussion and brainstorming, students will learn about the destructive impact of environmental factors on man-made artifacts and structures in this classroom activity. Upon completion of one or more activities, students will gain a concrete understanding of the complexity of the science of preservation. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Clues Within These Walls

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:27:27 GMT

On this page, students will find some of the methods historians and curators used to learn about the house at 16 Elm Street in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Students will learn how to use primary source documents, photographs and architectural clues to answer questions such as: Who lived in a house and what the neighborhood was like? When was the house built? How do historians discover how a house changes over time? Also included is a link to House Detective: Finding History in Your Home, a research guide that will help students conduct investigations of their own home. This activity accompanies the online exhibition, Within These Walls.