Second Grade: American Independence Day!

American Independence Day is on July 4 (this weekend). So today, second graders learned about the story and the words of the American national anthem (song). Vocabulary in the song includes "twilight," "dawn," and "brave."

Here is a video we watched in class. It is pop star Jordin Sparks singing the national anthem at the beginning of the Superbowl (American football championship game).

Then, we talked about some Fourth of July traditions in America, like going to a barbecue with family and friends, watching a parade during the day, and going to see fireworks at night.

Last, we talked about some American history trivia. For example, many students already knew that there are 50 stars on the flag because there are 50 states in America!

Here are the words to the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner":

Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?