POETRY A Nation Arises Written by Dina Anastasio www.readinga-z.com A Nation Arises A Reading A–Z Poetry Book • Word Count: 999 Visit www.readinga-z.com for thousands of books and materials Photo Credits: Front cover, pages (top right, bottom left), (bottom left), (top right), 13 (top left, bottom left), 14 (both), 15 (top left, right), 16 (top right, bottom left), 19 (George Washington), 23 (top right): Library of Congress; back cover: © Jared Delariman/iStockphoto; title page, pages 3, (bottom center and right), (top row), (top right, bottom right), (all but top right), (bottom right), 10, 13 (top middle, top right), 16 (bottom right), 18, 21 (all), 22 (all), 23 (bottom right, both stamps): © Jupiter Images; pages (both bottom), (top, bottom left), 15 (bottom left), 17 (all), 19 (documents, capitol building): Public Domain; pages (main map), 23 (boys with flag): © iStockphoto; page (inset map): © Stephen Sweet/iStockphoto; page 12: © Getty Images; pages (modern keys), 20: Craig Frederick/© Learning A–Z, Inc.; page 23 (top left): © Nitin Sanil/iStockphoto; page 23 (porch flag): © Deanna Quinton A Nation Arises A Reading A–Z Poetry Book © Learning A–Z, Inc Written by Dina Anastasio All rights reserved www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com Written by Dina Anastasio A Nation Arises Table of Contents The Mystery of History Christopher Columbus Beginnings 12 Declaration of Independence 16 A New Beginning 18 Who Runs the Country? 20 The Flag 22 But I’d rather read about who drew the map, And how often Columbus might take a quick nap I’d like to know whether Washington lost His famous false teeth and how much they cost History means everything that happened before Blink once, turn around, there’s a little bit more Most of the time we read about things Like presidents, battles, explorers, and kings The Mystery of History What songs did kids sing in their dim lighted places? And tell me how shoes stayed on without laces How did they write? I know paper was rare I’ve heard they used birch bark and what did they wear? now Show me how we are different and how we’re alike I don’t roll hoops They didn’t ride bikes What kind of snacks did they buy at the store? History is details It’s what happened before then now then Boston Tea Party Lewis and Clark Vasco de Gama King George III Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus Columbus left Spain one hot summer day, Led his men toward the west in search of a way That would lead them to India They had spices to trade He approached the Caribbean and said to an aide, “This must be India!” Then they sailed all around From island to island Oh what bounty they’d found! now now then then now then Christopher Columbus He thought he’d reached Asia His heart swelled with pride “Let’s call them the Indies!” Christopher cried Then he turned his ship ‘round and sailed back to Spain “I’ve found the new route,” Columbus explained 10 India Spain New World Asia Europe Beginnings They weren’t the first Native Americans were here When the settlers from England and Holland appeared Exhausted and hungry the settlers staked out their land, Built houses and churches and worked hand in hand But the king made the laws The king made the rules The history of Britain was taught in the schools The children rolled hoops as they dawdled to school The settlers lived under a strict British rule For decades and decades they crossed the rough seas The king said, “Pay taxes on our stamps and our teas.” And the king made the laws The king made the rules The history of Britain was taught in the schools Wampanoag tribesman 12 11 He discovered more islands on his trips back and forth, And after a while he wandered up north On and on he continued, and when he was through He knew he’d missed India, but this new land would 4th Voyage 3rd Voyage 2nd Voyage 1st Voyage But in this new land, restless whispers were stewing Far away from their ruler something epic was brewing In 1773 they decided to revolt They went into Boston and dumped tea off a boat Still the king made the laws The king made the rules The history of Britain was taught in the schools The Boston Tea Party news spread far and wide “We’re sick of your taxes!” the settlers cried “Our money should be spent on American land “Freedom!” they cried “We must all take a stand!” The battle began No more far-away rules! American history should be taught in the schools 14 13 Thirteen Colonies King George III Great Britain Declaration of Independence 1st Continental Congress The battle raged on We will govern alone! We are done with the laws set down by the throne! They fought The tide turned An end was in sight It looked like the patriots might win this long fight The soldiers were weary, many battles were done, British soldiers retreating, the war almost won Shot heard ‘round the World Surrender of Lord Cornwallis 16 15 Boston Tea Party Declaration Committee Stamp Act Protest A New Beginning VT NH NY Never again would a king or queen rule PA Unlimited power can be mighty and cruel MD This country would not have a queen or a king VA They’d divide up the power! Let freedom ring! NC SC It took 12 more years to make it official GA Split up the power! Let’s start with judicial The courts have the power to watch out for the president, And the congress attempts to protect every resident The states were given power But states weren’t the same Yet in spite of their differences, the country became The thirteen united states, working together as one The Constitution was signed A new country had begun MA RI CT NJ DE Independence Hall 18 17 Declaration of Independence Fifty-six men from the thirteen new states Gathered together to sign and create The Declaration of Independence so the whole world would see Just why they were fighting They had to be free Liberty Bell It was signed July 4th, 1776, Though it wasn’t the end of the war or conflicts But oh there were shouts, excitement and cheers The Liberty Bell pealed There was laughter and tears The battles raged on, but the people could see A new country was coming, and soon they’d be free Who Runs the Country? Who runs the country? I’m not really sure I know that the founders tried to assure That no one could rule with a strong brutal hand So who runs the country? Who governs this land? Who runs the country? Does the president it? Can the president decide, or does someone review it? I think that the House, and the senators too Have the power to check what the presidents 20 Now what about courts? All those judges sit there And decide what is legal and proper and fair So I guess that their power is a third way of curbing All that power that sometimes becomes quite disturbing 19 George Washington Articles of Confederation Declaration of Independence Capitol building Constitution Philadelphia, the first U.S capital The Flag When they signed the Declaration there were only 13 states The founders pondered long and hard, then decided to create A flag with 13 stripes and stars That seemed the thing to But what would happen later if the country grew and grew? Go west, go west, the cry was heard Go west and find your land And so they went, while leaders watched America expand What if new states were added, then more and more and more? Remember them, but don’t forget what happened years before So it was decided that the stripes would always be Thirteen for 13 colonies that fought to set us free It took a bit of doing, some ruckus and debate, But now one star is added for every brand new state 22 21 So who runs the country? Perhaps it is me My vote might decide who my leaders will be I’ll vote for the president, the senators too So who runs the country? I guess we all Balance Check System of Checks and Balances Congress approves president’s nominations for judges Court declares a law unconstitutional LEGISLATIVE (Congress) President vetoes President nominates JUDICIAL (Courts) EXECUTIVE (President) Congress can override a veto to pass a law Court declares president’s act unconstitutional Write Your Own Poem 24 23 [...]... decided to create A flag with 13 stripes and stars That seemed the thing to do But what would happen later if the country grew and grew? Go west, go west, the cry was heard Go west and find your land And so they went, while leaders watched America expand What if new states were added, then more and more and more? Remember them, but don’t forget what happened years before So it was decided that the stripes... decide what is legal and proper and fair So I guess that their power is a third way of curbing All that power that sometimes becomes quite disturbing 19 George Washington Articles of Confederation Declaration of Independence Capitol building Constitution Philadelphia, the first U.S capital The Flag When they signed the Declaration there were only 13 states The founders pondered long and hard, then... would always be Thirteen for 13 colonies that fought to set us free It took a bit of doing, some ruckus and debate, But now one star is added for every brand new state 22 21 So who runs the country? Perhaps it is me My vote might decide who my leaders will be I’ll vote for the president, the senators too So who runs the country? I guess we all do Balance Check System of Checks and Balances Congress approves... not really sure I know that the founders tried to assure That no one could rule with a strong brutal hand So who runs the country? Who governs this land? Who runs the country? Does the president do it? Can the president decide, or does someone review it? I think that the House, and the senators too Have the power to check what the presidents do 20 Now what about courts? All those judges sit there And... Check System of Checks and Balances Congress approves president’s nominations for judges Court declares a law unconstitutional LEGISLATIVE (Congress) President vetoes President nominates JUDICIAL (Courts) EXECUTIVE (President) Congress can override a veto to pass a law Court declares president’s act unconstitutional Write Your Own Poem 24 23 ... Sanil/iStockphoto; page 23 (porch flag): © Deanna Quinton A Nation Arises A Reading A Z Poetry Book © Learning A Z, Inc Written by Dina Anastasio All rights reserved www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com... men toward the west in search of a way That would lead them to India They had spices to trade He approached the Caribbean and said to an aide, “This must be India!” Then they sailed all around... seas The king said, “Pay taxes on our stamps and our teas.” And the king made the laws The king made the rules The history of Britain was taught in the schools Wampanoag tribesman 12 11 He discovered