America the Beautiful
Adapted from a lesson by Pat VanNice

Overvalue:

Students will illustrate a big book adapted from the familiar song, "America the Beautiful" by Katherine Lee Bates.

Connection with the Curriculum: Geography, Literature, Music

Teaching Level: K-3

Connection to State Content Standards:

2 "Identify the physical and human characteristics of places and regions."

Connection to National Standards:

4 "The physical and human characteristics of places."

Materials:

America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates, illus. by Neil Waldman, ISBN 0-689-31861-8,
Overhead or chalkboard
Large white construction paper, crayons, markers or paints.

Procedure:

    1. Students would already be familiar with the song "America the Beautiful". Share the book with students and discuss the places in America they have visited. Have them describe the places to the class. List.
    2. Ask the class to describe a place that is beautiful to them. Make a web of responses on the chalkboard. 3. Sing "America the Beautiful". Ask, "Could we illustrate our own big book with pictures of America that are important to us?" Illustrate each line of the song with student work. Add words, then bind.

Extensions:

  1. Students could choose another song that would be appropriate.
  2. Add photographs cut from old National Geographic magazines of purple mountains and amber grain to children’s' illustrations.
  3. Take photographs that fit the song.
  4. Let students make individual books with photographs, magazine pictures, or their own illustrations.
  5. Discuss physical characteristics vs. human characteristics in song.
  6. Illustrate the song as it applies to a field study you've done with your students
    7.