Oh, Say, Can You See What the Star-Spangled Banner Means?
EDSITEment | Lesson Plan | 3-5
Students learn about symbols that were more prominent than the American flag prior to 1814 and how the American flag became the primary symbol of American patriotism.

Math and Measuring the Star-Spangled Banner
History Explorer | Lesson Plan| K-2
Just how big is the Star-Spangled Banner?  In this classroom activity, students will visualize the area of the famous flag by measuring pieces of string and attaching them to create an outline of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Measuring the Star-Spangled Banner
History Explorer | Lesson Plan | 3-5
In this classroom activity, students apply historical information to math problems to gain an understanding of the flag's size.

Stars and Stripes Forever: Flag Facts for Flag Day
EDSITEment | Lesson Plan | K-2
In this unit, students will learn what a symbol is, and how this particular symbol—the American flag—is an important part of our everyday lives.

12-B Allies Day, May 1917, 1917 Childe Hassam (1859–1935)
EDSITEment | Picturing America Resource | All grades
Students learn that one month after the United States officially entered World War I, New York decorated Fifth Avenue with flags. As a welcoming act to the British and French, the American flag hung alongside the flags of these countries. Four days after a peace agreement was announced in November 1918, Hassam’s 30 flag paintings were shown together for the first time. Together, they told the story of America’s involvement in World War I and they celebrated victory.

Broad Stripes and Bright Stars Classroom Videos
History Explorer | Video | K-5
Students watch four short videos to learn about the story of the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the National Anthem. During the presentation, Mary Pickersgill (a historical figure with a fictional monologue) is working on a garrison flag to fly over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry. She speaks about the War of 1812, the process of creating the giant flag, and thoughts about the meaning of the flag.

Design Your Own Family Flag
History Explorer | Activity | K-4
In this activity, children create their own family flag using colors and pictures that have personal meanings.

Emmanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware
EDSITEment | Interactive | 6-12
On Christmas Night, December 25, 1776, George Washington led Continental army soldiers across the Delaware River to attack Britain’s Hessian army at Trenton, New Jersey. Students learn how this successful surprise attack provided a much-needed victory for Britain’s former colonies as they struggled for freedom.

Emanuel Leutze’s Symbolic Scene of Washington Crossing the Delaware
EDSITEment | Feature | 6-12
Students explore resources relating to Emmanuel Leutze's "Washington Crossing the Delaware" and present information on the painting. 

The Flag in World War II
History Explorer | Website & Online Exhibition | 9-12
This virtual gallery features a selection of objects from the National Museum of American History that illustrate the use and meaning of the flag in World War II. While exploring it, students will learn how the flag, in a variety of forms, expressed ideas about what it meant to be American during a time of war.

Interactive Star-Spangled Banner
History Explorer | Interactive | K-12
Explore features of the Star-Spangled Banner using this interactive flag included in the online exhibition.

Reading The Flag Maker
History Explorer | Activity | K-4
In this activity, children actively read The Flag Maker use suggested reading questions.  This is one of a series of hands-on activities based on the book and the collections of the National Museum of American History.

United States Colored Troops Flag
History Explorer | Artifact | 8-12
This flag belonged to the 84th Regiment of Infantry, United States Colored Troops in the Civil War.

United States National 34-Star Flag
History Explorer | Artifact | 8-12
The United States National 34-Star Flag was adopted with the admission of Kansas as the 34th state in January 1861. It was used until 1863 when West Virginia became a state. At no time did the national flag lose stars. Throughout the Civil War, the flag continued to bear the stars of all the states of the union, even the Southern states.