Assessment

Vicksburg

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Long before the term fake news, media outlets offered competing narratives of events at the time. Looking at newspaper reports from the Battle of Vicksburg, class members consider two different versions of the strategic siege—one from the North and then from the South. Images of the newspapers prompt additional application to current news reporting.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Ideas
  • Use primary source images and questions to practice analytical skills and identifying bias in news reporting
Classroom Considerations
  • Learners may need background information on how the Battle of Vicksburg fits into the larger context of the Civil War
  • Teachers need to create a free account at Stanford History Education Group to access the plan
Pros
  • Pictures of newspapers are engaging
  • Scaffolded questions help young historians build analytical skills
Cons
  • None