Talk to your second grader about inspiring places they have found in America, and encourage them to write their own poems or songs about the place, just as Bates did. Have the child describe the details -- color, scenery and even the feeling he gets when at the place.
"America the Beautiful" describes different areas of the United States. Have your child cut out pictures of mountains, deserts and lakes. On a large map of the United States, let the child paste the pictures on parts of the United States with the same scenery.
To help your second grader understand what she enjoys about living in America, have her write an essay talking about what makes her feel patriotic, just as Bates felt on her trip up Pike's Peak. The essay does not have to be about a place-- it could be a special cultural activity or idea.
With its descriptive words, "America the Beautiful" is a great tool to use to increase a child's vocabulary. Take a phrase of the song and discuss what each word means. Have each child draw a picture representing a different phrase. One child may draw "amber waves of grain," for example, while another draws "spacious skies."