Smithsonian Institution
Women's Role in the War Effort
Did you know that many women were Confederate spies during the Civil War? The resource focuses particularly on the important role women played for both the Union and Confederacy. It uses exercises such as a discussion, video, analyzing...
TED-Ed
A Digital Reimagining of Gettysburg
Why would Robert E. Lee order Pickett's Charge, an action that changed the course of the Civil War? Geographer and historian Anne Knowles uses digital technology to explain what she thinks is the missing piece in trying to understand...
Curated OER
The American Civil War (1861 -1864)
Peek back in time and learn about the North and South of the American Civil War. Discussed in full are the causes, effects, major battles, and agreements that made Civil War history. Period technology, social changes, and the ultimate...
Digital Public Library of America
Women in the Civil War
Vivandieres and cantinieres, nurses and soldiers, loyalists and unionists. A primary source set provides young historians an opportunity to investigate the many roles women played in the United States Civil War.
American Battlefield Trust
Civil War Personalities: Individual Examples of Character
What is a hero? What is character? Using biographies of figures during the Civil War, both famous and lesser known, scholars consider these questions. After brainstorming what they think makes a hero, they examine the lives of those who...
Ford's Theatre
Not Just Stone and Metal: Memory and Monuments Today
Should we remove historical Confederate monuments? Teach scholars both sides to the story using a resource that includes a class discussion, reading materials from two prominent figures on both sides of the argument, and an assessment...
Mr. Nussbaum
Battle of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter, the site of the Civil War's first battle, taught the Union and the Confederacy an important lesson: they would both need to take stronger steps than anticipated if they wanted to win the war. History pupils read about the...
Smithsonian Institution
Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers
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...
Center for History and New Media
A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction, 1865-1877
The transition between rebellion to reunification was not smooth after the Civil War. Young historians compare primary and secondary source documents in a study of the Reconstruction era in Virginia, noting the rights that were not...
K12 Reader
Two Viewpoints of the Same Event: Lee Surrenders to Grant, 1865
How did Union General Ulysses S. Grant view the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in 1865, which effectively ended the United States Civil War? After reading an excerpt from Grant's autobiography, your young historians will...
Cheryl L. Mason and William G. Thomas
Southern Patriotism
Patriotism in the South and notions of patriotic sentiments are examined through primary document analysis. Learners read articles and letters written in the pre-war South to determine the role patriotism played in spurring on the war....
Curated OER
I Live in Arlington
Learners tour Robert E. Lee's house and complete a worksheet on the changes that have happened over time. A discussion follows the tour with the entire class.
Curated OER
Who Fought for the Confederacy?
Did the Confederate Army really consist of southern volunteers? Using primary sources, historians examine the story behind the "Twenty Negro Law" and realities of conscription during the Civil War. A letter and a lithograph (included as...
Curated OER
Mystery State #10
In this mystery state worksheet, students answer five clues to identify the state in question. They then locate that state on a map.
Curated OER
A Flag Divided
Students explore the flags of the Union and Confederacy, explore the symbolism of those flags, and create flags of their own.
Curated OER
Civil War Research Project
Give your WWI study collaborative energy using a group research project. Groups are assigned one of the six main themes (included). Each group has an outline to guide research but will need an assignment guide. Consider supplementing the...
Curated OER
Civil War Essay Writing
Students, in groups of three, research a topic about the Civil War. They present thier research to the class in an orally.
Curated OER
Role Playing the Civil War
Students role play the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students break into two groups: North and South. They complete activities that show which states belonged to each side, the reasons for the war on both sides, and the...
Curated OER
Who Led the South?
Eighth graders explore the role of Jefferson Davis and his leadership of the Confederacy during the Civil War. They examine the command system used in the Confederacy and analyze the effectiveness of the command system.
Curated OER
U.S. History Worksheet #72
Why did the North win the war? In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to the Civil War. A short answer question is included as...
SparkNotes
Inherit the Wind by jerome Lawrence & Robert E. Lee
In this online interactive literature activity, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about Inherit the Wind. Students may check some of their answers online.
Curated OER
Inherit the Wind
In this online interactive reading comprehension learning exercise, students respond to 25 multiple choice questions about Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's Inherit the Wind. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
Civil War Reader's Theater Lesson Plan
Young scholars participate in a reader's theater about the Civil War. In this performing arts lesson, students review the Civil War through a reader's theater. They practice reading their parts to work on expression and fluidity before...
Curated OER
The Battle of Antietam
Students discover the Battle of Antietam is the bloodiest war in American history. They realize that over 20,000 men lost their lives in a single day. Students will write newspaper articles to cover the front page.