Fourth-Grade Students Honor the National Anthem

It was a star-spangled festive music class for fourth-grade students at Kent Elementary School.

To celebrate our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, music teacher Nina Madison shared the history of the anthem using an illustrated picture book of the lyrics. The students took turns reading the lyrics to the song while Madison translated and explained the words in age-appropriate terms.

The students then came together as a group to sing the anthem – a song they will practice all year and will kick-off the Grade 4 Music Celebration at the end of the school year.

What does patriotism mean to our students?

“Celebrating our country,” said student Keegan Higgins.

“Red, white and blue because it’s a symbol of our flag,” said student Ashley Melikia.

The lesson was a way to honor September 11, which was officially designated as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance by Congress and the President. It is a day to honor the Americans and volunteers who came out to serve their country in the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001.

“You might celebrate Patriot Day by listening to patriotic music or you might take some time to honor and remember patriots that have come and gone,” Madison, who is also a veteran, told her class.

The class closed with students listening to different versions of the anthem and guessing which celebrities performed them. Selena Gomez was a popular answer among the students. Clips also included versions by Beyonce, Lady Gaga and more.