Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

Civil War Soldier: Experiencing the Battle of Franklin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Fighting a war over home soil makes a living nightmare even more real. Class members describe the experience of a Civil War soldier during the Battle of Franklin, poised right at a major turning point of the war, after researching the...
Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

Civil War Play

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Raise the curtain to a class play that depicts the Civil War through both factual information and literary devices. The performance showcases the Battle of Antietam (Battle of Sharpsburg) and brings attention to women's roles,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Soldier's View of the American Civil War

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Study and research the American Civil War in this explanatory writing lesson. Middle schoolers complete six activities to learn about the American Civil War and soldiers' views of the war. The lesson includes several options to complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life During the Civil War for Women and Civilians

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars follow an overview of the American Civil War from a film, the text and/or teacher direct instruction. They create a timeline with a large map of the U.S. in the 1860's available for student reference as they do the spider...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technologies of the Civil War

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover new and interesting technologies of the Civil War. In this Civil War portfolio of lessons, 5th graders analyze primary resources, develop new vocabulary, investigate websites, and create a time line of new...
Interactive
Mr. Nussbaum

Battle of Fort Sumter

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Aftermath of Reconstruction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Reconstruction Era. In this American history activity, students explore the condition of the United States following the Civil War as they read statistical data. Students analyze the Reconstruction policies to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gettysburg: The Civil War's Costliest Battle

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. In this Gettysburg lesson, students analyze journals and letters written by the Gettysburg soldiers. Students define Civil War soldier vocabulary words. Students compare and...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Think Like a Historian: A Viewing Guide

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Calling all junior detectives! Scholars use the tools of investigation to determine the causes and impacts of the American Civil War. Using viewing guides, videos, group research, and written resources, they discover what it takes to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Across Five Aprils

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to the novel "Across Five Aprils" written by Irene Hunt. They become familiar with the people, places, and events referenced in the story and comprehend the story of the Civil War. Students are given a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle of Lexington

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students discover the Missouri River and its importance during the Civil War.  In this U.S. history lesson, students examine a map of the great Battle of Lexington, and discuss why the Missouri River was a key element to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brother Against Brother

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders read Across Five Aprils and correlate it to a unit on the Civil War. They culminate the unit by writing a a piece of historical fiction in the first person entitled "Brother Against Brother."
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is a Primary-Source Document?

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students discover what a primary-source document is, what different types there were back in 1867, and what newer kinds there are today. They play a form of bingo using printed cards that reproduce documents related to Confederation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Lands: Indians in Georgia , Losing Ground: Removal, 1802-1838

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate the removal of the Creek Indians from Georgia. Students read the story of the Creek removal from Georgia, locate sites mentioned on a map, and create a related timeline. Students share their thoughts on the Creek...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Colony is Born : Lesson 6 -To Leave or Not to Leave

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders connect reasons for coming to the New World with identity. The create identities and place them in one of three settled regions. They refer to prior study notes in their Colonial Notebooks to establish their identities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Colony is Born : Lessons 7 - 10 What's My Line?

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research their assigned regions, complete regional guide and prepare presentations about the New World colonists. They refer to "Everyday LIfe: Colonial Times" as well as searching marked internet sites.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Colony is Born : Lesson 11 - Group Presentations and Summatives

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders give presentations on colonial research. The others take notes on the presentations. They play a card game which helps them review content. They take a summative assessment and present their research notebooks.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: July 21: First Battle of Bull Run & Ernest Hemingway

For Students 9th - 10th
Library of Congress presents historical material for the date July 21. Primary source documents including photos, letters, diaries and historical text. Looks at the First Battle of Bull Run and the author Ernest Hemingway.