The United States anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" has inspired generations. Although we have a script "Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner," with the story behind the patriotic song, this script is a Readers Theater adaptation of the song lyrics. "The Star-Spangled Banner Lyrics" includes all four verses and comes complete with lots of annotated curriculum links for easy lesson plans. Although the readability scale says grade 3, the lyrics are appropriate for every grade level 2-8+. (High school students could use this script, but I believe they'd enjoy adapting the lyrics to their own creative script!)
TIME: less than 2 1/2 min.
CAST: 3-7+, CHORAL (if desired)
TONE: serious
READABILITY: grade 3.1
Here is an excerpt of this exclusive Script Buffet Club member's Script showing the first TWO VERSES of the song:
The Star-Spangled Banner Lyrics
Adapted for Readers Theater by Carol Montgomery ©2013
Voice 1: The Star-Spangled Banner.
Voice 2: By Francis Scott Key.
Voice 3: Penned after the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814.
(optional sound effects of bombs exploding)
Stars: Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Stripes: Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
Rockets: And the rocket's red glare,
Bombs: The bombs bursting in air,
Rockets and Bombs: Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Voice 4: Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
All: O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Stars: On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
Stripes: What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Rockets: Now it catches the gleam...
Bombs: Of the morning's first beam,
Rockets and Bombs: In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
Voice 5: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave...
All: O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! (Continued...)
***Click on the arrow below to download the full printable version of "The Star-Spangled Banner Lyrics" adapted for patriotic Readers Theater.
