Bundle-Lessons about the War of 1812

Bundle of Lessons about the War of 1812 - Created by Melissa Aubuchon - Visit My Store

Should the National Anthem Be Changed?

Close Reading of the Star-Spangled Banner Explore the question – Should the National Anthem be Changed? Students will analyze the primary source document of the Star-Spangled Banner and explore the possibility of the United States National Anthem being changed. Classes will learn a brief history about the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore. Students will close read the poem that the Star-Spangled Banner was taken from and locate references to the Battle of Baltimore in the poem. Next, pairs answer questions to decipher the meaning of words and phrases in the poem. Finally, students will answer the question as to whether the national anthem of the United States should be changed from the Star-Spangled Banner. Students will express their opinions in a Letter to the Editor.

Political Cartoon War of 1812-Were British Actions Humane?

Students will delve into the minds and attitudes of Americans at the beginning of the War of 1812 by analyzing a primary source document of a political cartoon. The lesson begins with a warm up activity as students debate what unites people to go to war and what tools are used to unify feelings about war. Next, the class learns of the purpose and tools of political cartoons. Additional time is spend learning how to “read” a political cartoon. To begin the analysis, students identify details from the cartoon before sharing their details with a partner in a rally robin style. Pairs then hypothesize about the location and time period of the cartoon using evidence from the image. Next, pairs work together to complete the analysis questions for the cartoon. The class will read the background information for the history that possibly led to the creation of the political cartoon. The class will then discuss the purpose behind the cartoon and students will complete the lesson by choosing to write a mini editorial about the effect of the cartoon or may choose to write additional stanzas to the poetry on the cartoon.

War of 1812 Political Cartoons Viewpoints of Americans

Explore the attitudes and viewpoints of Americans during the War of 1812 by analyzing four political cartoons from the early 1800s. The lesson begins with students discussing symbols that represent America and where these symbols are used. Next, the class will discuss the possible meaning of other symbols such as a tombstone, olive branch or skull and crossbones. Then discussion turns to why political cartoons and propaganda posters utilize the use of symbols. The class learns that the purpose of the activity is for students to analyze four political cartoons from the War of 1812 to determine the viewpoints of Americans during this conflict. The class next learns of the purpose of political cartoons and the tools that a cartoonist employs to share their point of view. After debriefing political cartoons in general, each pair will participate in a political cartoon sort. Each pair receives an envelope with four political cartoon images, captions, titles, phrases from thought bubbles and descriptors of the cartoons. Pairs must sort the documents into the four different cartoons. Students will then analyze each cartoon to determine the purpose of the cartoonist and the viewpoints Americans had at different points in the war. Finally, the class will debrief the four political cartoons to determine the thoughts and feelings of Americans at the time of the War of 1812.

War of 1812 Strategic Planning

Delve into the major battles of the War of 1812 acting as American and British commanders planning strategies to attack or defend important cities and waterways. The lesson begins with an activity in which students learn about Washington’s advice for the United States during his farewell address and the circumstances that led to conflict between the United States and Great Britain. Students vote in a Four Corners style activity to determine which enemy the U.S. should declare war with first. Next, the class begins the background reading for the events of the War of 1812. After learning of the beginning events of the war, pairs will read the background information leading to each battle. Then pairs must plan strategy for both the British and the Americans for each specific battle. The strategic planning is centered first on the overall battle plans to attack and defend the United States. Then pairs plan specific strategies for conflicts in Canada, the battle over the nation’s capital, the clash over the city of Baltimore and the struggle to control the Mississippi River over the city of New Orleans. After each pair plots their strategy, they present their plan to the class. After the pairs have shared their ideas, the teacher reveals what happened in each encounter. Then the class repeats the same scenario of reading, planning, sharing and then learning of the actual events of each encounter. After learning about the results of the War of 1812, students will create a report card, providing analysis of America’s efforts during this war.

When you purchase this activity, you will receive:

Star Spangled Banner: -Teacher Directions -Power Point to guide instruction -Background Reading of Battle of Baltimore -History of the Writing of the “Defense of Fort McHenry” reading -Star-Spangled Banner Close Reading Packet -History of the Star-Spangled Banner as the National Anthem reading -Should the U.S. National Anthem be Changed? worksheet -Song Lyrics -Letter to the Editor Instructions -Answer Key

Political Cartoon War of 1812-Were the British Actions Humane?: -Teacher Directions -Power point to guide instruction -Warm Up Activity -Handout, Political Cartoons -Handout, How to “Read” a Political Cartoon -Political Cartoon, “A Scene on the Frontier . . .” -Analysis Questions, A Scene on the Frontier . . .”, Version A and B -Answer Key to Analysis Questions -Handout, Battle of Fort Dearborn -Two Options for Processing Assignments: Mini Letter to the Editor or Poem for the Cartoon

War of 1812 Political Cartoons Viewpoints of Americans: -Teacher Directions -Power Point to guide instruction -Warm Up Activity -Handout, Political Cartoons -Handout, How to “Read” a Political Cartoon -Four Political Cartoons from War of 1812 -62 Descriptors, Titles & Quotes from the Political Cartoons -Chart, Analysis of Political Cartoons -Analysis of War of 1812 Political Cartoon Questions -Answer Key for the Cartoon Sort -Answer Key for Chart, Analysis of Political Cartoons

War of 1812 Strategic Planning: -Teacher Directions -Power Point to guide instruction -What to Do? Warm Up Activity with handouts -Reading Packets-War of 1812 -Reading Notes/Strategic Planning Sheets to guide reading and strategic planning of each battle -Processing Assignment-America’s Report Card -Answer Key for Reading Notes