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Unit Plan
Core Knowledge Foundation

The Civil War

For Teachers 5th Standards
A unit covers many aspects of the Civil War. Over six weeks, fifth graders delve deep into the history of slavery, the Civil War—before, during, and after—Abraham Lincoln, women's contributions, the Emancipation Proclamation, and...
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Lesson Plan
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Smithsonian Institution

The Soldier’s Experience—Vietnam versus World War I

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The Vietnam War and World War I were two very important—and different—wars. To understand the differences, and similarities, class members watch videos, examine primary source documents, and then create a newscast that examines the...
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Lesson Plan
National History Day

More Than Mud and Cooties: The Poetry of World War I Soldiers

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Poetry is not just for romance. Teach middle schoolers about soldiers' experiences during World War I with poetry written by the soldiers themselves. The instructional activity includes a simulation activity, a graphic organizer...
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Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

Our Shared Humanity

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Ann Shin's award-winning documentary, My Enemy, My Brother introduces viewers to Zahed Haftlang and Najah Aboud, two child soldiers on opposite sides during the Iran-Iraq war. After viewing the film, class members are asked to reflect on...
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eBook
Core Knowledge Foundation

The Civil War

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
A student reader shares information about the history of slavery, the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, women's contributions to the war, the Emancipation Proclamation, and reconstruction.
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Resolution Analysis

For Teachers 5th - 8th
An eye-opening activity honors those soldiers that have fallen in battle but remain nameless. Scholars analyze the Unknown Solider Resolution created after World War I to honor those who died. Academics participate in group discussion to...
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Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

Fighting for Whose Freedom? Black Soldiers in the American Revolution

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Fight for freedom! The lesson delves into the world of African American soldiers during the American Revolution. Scholars read documents, such as the Dunmore Proclamation, to understand how the British government treated African...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Artists Document World War I

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Drawings may be worth even more than a thousand words. Curious scholars query an artist's rendering of troops leaving a ship after they have arrived in Europe to fight in World War I. By zooming in and looking at the entire piece, class...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Analyzing a Letter from Jackie Robinson: "Fair Play and Justice"

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Jackie Robinson was more than a baseball legend; he was an activist, too. An interesting resource explores Robinson's time in the military using primary sources. Scholars examine the racially inspired event that led to a court martial...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

Deborah Sampson Gannett: A Woman Soldier in the Revolutionary War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Fact or fiction: Women fought as soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The resource highlights the life of Deborah Sampson Gannett, a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight during the war. Academics decipher a legal document and...
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Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

Life At War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A thought-provoking lesson plan explores what life was like for Civil War soldiers. With a presentation, group discussion, and writing activity, academics learn about camp living conditions, what soldiers ate, and how they dressed. 
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Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

The Common Civil War Soldier

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
If it were possible to step back in time, what would learners want to know about the Civil War? With the aid of discussion prompts, they now have that chance. Invite a Civil War re-enactor to your classroom and have all their questions...
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Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

Jeremiah Handley

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Designed for middle school scholars, a instructional activity explores the life of Jeremiah Handley, a young man when the Civil War broke out. Pupils read Handley's personal story, accounts of battles, and view images to understand what...
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Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

Life at War

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
It looks like a cracker, but hardtack was anything but. The staple of the Civil War soldier's diet is one of many aspects of military life that scholars consider using letters from soldiers back home and images from slavery. A PowerPoint...
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Lesson Plan
Syracuse University

Civil War

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What was it like to enlist as a soldier in the Civil War? By using enlistment papers, young scholars consider this question. After they've looked at the primary source and discussed it, they create a short story of a fictional soldier to...
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Lesson Plan
National WWII Museum

Dear Mother: Synthesizing Historical Evidence

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
It's one thing to read history, it's another to live it. Pupils examine secondary and primary sources that detail the training of soldiers before deployment. Then, they consider the impact of primary sources on how they understand the...
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Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

Art of the American Soldier: Stories from the Soldiers

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The impact of war is deep and profound. Moving paintings, along with brief narrations from veteran artists and other former soldiers, show scholars how the cost of war is paid for years to come. Individuals dive deeper into the artwork...
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Lesson Plan
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Smithsonian Institution

Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The Civil War, a war that divided a nation. Comparing and contrasting the Confederate and Union soldiers is not always an easy task, but the eighth of 15 resources makes it easy to teach the concepts. Exercises include watching videos in...
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Lesson Plan
National History Day

Leland Linman’s War: A Look at Soldiers’ Daily Lives in World War I

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Hunkering down in the trenches of World War I, Leland Linman decided to write a journal about his experiences. By reading Linman's entries in the fourth installment of an eight-part lesson series, scholars get a firsthand look at life in...
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Activity
US Department of Veterans Affairs

Celebrating America's Freedoms

For Teachers K - 12th
From a flag-raising ceremony to a poster contest, there are many ways for learners to pay respect on Veteran's Day. Class members participate in one or many activities to honor those who served our country. 
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Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

Civil War Animal Mascots

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
A pet can offer comfort, friendship, and loyalty in the most stressful of situations. Here is a lesson plan that explores the important role animals played during the Civil War. Class members read informative texts, complete a KWL chart,...
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Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

The Common Civil War Soldier

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Imagine you are a soldier in the Civil War. What are you wearing? What do you need to carry with you? Examine the life of a person during the Civil War, from drummer boys to powder monkeys to musket-toting soldiers. Elementary learners...
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Worksheet
Holiday Zone

Memorial Day Challenge

For Students 3rd - 7th Standards
What do the American Revolution, Monday, and remembrance have in common? These are three of the 63 words you'll find in this word search dedicated to the major symbols, events, and features of Memorial Day.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unknown Soldier Diorama

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students research history of honoring unknown soldiers in United States, Canada, France, and Australia, research origins and building of tombs for unknown soldiers in country of their choice, and create diorama depicting national...