Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sequence, Predict, Infer: Pink and Say

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Practice sequencing with your 2nd graders via Patricia Polacco's Civil War book Pink and Say. Begin with a blindfold and a bag of mystery items. Connect their use of clues to identify what they can't see with the skill of making...
Lesson Plan
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Center for History and New Media

A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction, 1865-1877

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

Civil War Photography: Photography as a Primary Source

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Can we learn a thing or two about history by looking at pictures from the past? As young historians view 2-D and 3-D primary source photographs, they respond to a series of worksheets that guides them toward unveiling clues...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War: A Terrible Swift Sword

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the Civil War. In this American History lesson, students use guiding questions and primary resources to better comprehend the events of the Civil War. This lesson actually includes 3 complete lessons that cover, North v....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Not Just A Man's War

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students write 2 letters from a woman who may have lived during the Civil War and 2 letters from her relative which include factual information that they have research using the Internet and other resources, along with other activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Civil War: Through the Eyes of Hoosier Women-

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explain and analyze changes and interactions of Hoosier women in major social and work roles during the Civil War. They recognize and compare the contributions of both women on the home and war fronts.
Lesson Plan
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Center for History and New Media

Slavery and Free Negroes, 1800 to 1860

For Teachers 4th - 11th Standards
What was life like for enslaved and free black people before the American Civil War? Explore the building tension between states and the freedom of individuals with a thorough social studies instructional activity. Learners of all...
Lesson Plan
National Gallery of Art

The First African American Regiment

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young historians examine a memorial sculpture of the first African American regiment in the Civil War, and then compare how the experiences of the regiment are portrayed in letters and poetry, as well as in the motion...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

A Nation Divided

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Can a presidential election cause a civil war? Learners research the events surrounding the presidential election of 1860 in a lesson that explores America's history. Using maps, videos, and primary sources, they uncover, brainstorm, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Music - Irish Folk Songs

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students determine what it was like to serve as an Irish-American in the American Civil War. In this Irish folk song lesson, students use the provided worksheets to analyze selected Irish folk songs and make inferences about war...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medical War Ball/ Civil War

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders play Medical War Ball. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders research the role of women in the Civil War as nurses. They play dodge ball with slightly different rules to incorporate a nurse on each team. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FOCUSING ON CIVIL WAR HISTORY & INFORMATION SEEKING

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students use a Web resource to obtain information on a specific subject; study the nature of naval warfare and commerce raiding during the Civil War; and assume the identity of a participant and viewing the events of the era from that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Newspaper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of the Civil War while conducting research using a variety of resources. The information is used to create a source for a class project. They create a class newspaper that becomes a summary of some...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider what it was like for black regiments during the Civil War. In this American Civil War activity, students view segments of "Glory," and "The Descendants of the 29th Regiment." Students discuss the conditions of black...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Heroes of the Civil War Era

For Teachers 6th
Students complete a unit of lessons about the heroes of the Civil War Era. In this Civil War lesson, students complete a 13 lesson unit about the Civil War and its heroes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Could the Civil War Been Avoided Through Compromise?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine whether the American Civil War could have been avoided. In this Civil War lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources to prepare to participate in a classroom debate that requires them to compromise to avoid...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Experiencing the Civil War

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the Civil War.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders investigate the causes, effects, and the lives of people during the Civil War.  Students develop a research paper using various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Newspaper on the Civil War

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students create historically accurate newspapers. In this Civil War activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the events, battles, and personalities of the war. Students collaborate to publish newspapers that...
Worksheet
Curated OER

History of the Americas: Causes of the Civil War

For Students 9th - 12th
In this American Civil War worksheet, students respond to 36 short answer questions that require them to define people and events that were significant during the war.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A State Divided - Maryland in the Civil War Era

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners use primary sources to see how Maryland was a divided state during the time leading up to the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson plan, students go over vocabulary, and look at maps that show the division of opinions of people...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What About Us? Women in the Civil War

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the role of women in the Civil War. In this Civil War unit, students research the role women played during the war. This unit includes eight different activities including vocabulary, writing prompts and a literature...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Civil War--The Battle of Corydon

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the Battle of Corydon. In this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders discover details about the Battle of Corydon and the leaders of the battle. Students also identify how the Corydon commemorates the battle...
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
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media

Reconstruction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
When slavery ended, what did the government do to help African American during Reconstruction? An interesting instructional activity uses primary sources such as newspaper articles to help scholars analyze Reconstruction policies and how...