Theme: By using the book America the Beautiful students can map the location of events and places that contributed to the creation of the national hymn. This book can be used for all national holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veteran’s Day, Flag Day.

Common Core Standards: Use the book to help teach students histories of important local and national landmarks, symbols, and essential documents that create a sense of community among citizens and exemplify cherished ideals (e.g. the U.S. flag, the bald eagle, the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Capitol).

Pre-reading: Show the students the cover of the book, read the title, author and illustrator’s name. Ask them what they think the book will be about. Have the students look at a globe or world map to locate where they are on the United States map.

Reading: As you read, show the illustrations in the book and have the students look closely at the drawings. What details can they find in the pictures? Have them study the expressions on the faces for the characters. Ask the students how they think the characters are feeling. Can they tell by the illustrations?

Writing: Ask students if they ever attended an event or visited a place that inspired them. Have them write about it and their experience.

Geography: Ask students to make neighborhood maps as homework. Each map should be designed as a square, with the student’s home at its center. Tell students to walk a block or two north, south, east, and west of their home, taking notes on what they see in all directions (houses, parks, businesses, buses, trains, types of vegetation and terrain, etc.). Encourage students to make sketches of what they see. Students unable to complete maps of their own neighborhoods may make maps of the neighborhood around the school.

Social Studies: Have students interview their fellow classmates on a given point and then use the information to make bar graphs and/or charts to illustrate the differences within the classroom. This exercise will help the class better understand how to apply their rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States and develop an understanding and respect for diversity. The exercise further explores and offers hands-on use of the basic tools for social science inquiry (such as surveys, statistics, maps).

Language: Click on the image below to watch how the song America the Beautiful looks in sign language. Explain to the students what sign language is and who uses it. Can any of the students remember a particular sign? Teach a few of the signs to the students.

Literature: Read America by Lynne Cheney, Amazing Faces and Amazing Places by Lee Bennett Hopkins, The Story of the Star Spangled Banner by Patricia A. Pingry, F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh. If you really enjoyed America the Beautiful write a review and post it on the Amazon or Barnes and Noble websites so others can enjoy your reading experience.

Art: Each president had a unique vision of America. In America the Beautiful, these visions are translated into different styles of illustrations by top artists such as Bryan Collier, Jon J Muth, Diane Goode, Mary GrandPre, Raul Colon, Sonia Lynn Sadler, Yuyi Morales, John Hendrix, LeUyen Pham and Chris Soentpiet. Each of these illustrators has found a unique way to interpret the values and beliefs that have built our great country. Talk about different art techniques. What medium did the artist use (watercolors, acrylic, oil, airbrush, charcoal pencils/sticks). Explain the difference between abstract and realism by comparing the art style of the different artists.

Bulletin Board: Display the students writing and geography lessons on your bulletin