Our Flag Was Still There is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 600 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team


 

SUMMARY

"Our Flag Was Still There" by Tom McMillian shares the improbable two-hundred-year journey of the original Star-Spangled Banner. From Mary Pickersgill and her female team, Fort McHenry in 1814, when Francis Scott Key first saw it, to the Smithsonian in 1912. Readers will learn about the many incredible individuals involved in creating the American message of freedom from entertaining story telling and illustrations. This story educates students on the incredible journey the American symbol had to go through while also creating a sense of patriotism in every reader who will gain a new respect and pride in their incredible nation. "Our Flag Was Still There" is a powerful read that teaches students about their history while also encourages them to be proud of who they are and where they came from.

 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:

Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.

  1. Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
  2. Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
  3. Cause and effect can be a difficult skill for students. This book is a perfect mentor text for teaching this skill.
  4. Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
  5. Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
  6. Teach a lesson on multiple meaning words using examples from the story.
  7. Discuss what it means to persevere and why it is important.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES

NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:

If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:

  • comprehension questions
  • 30 writing prompts with themed paper
  • vocabulary activities
  • word study print & go activities
  • ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
  • social emotional learning discussion topics
  • graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies

This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.

GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES

ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS

You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.

SEE MORE RECOMMENDED BOOKS

TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION

It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one.  It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!

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