Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

United States Colored Troops

For Teachers 6th - 8th
The debate over slavery contributed to the Civil War, but it didn't stop African Americans from joining the military. Academics complete a series of worksheets, read original letters, and analyze a photo of an African American soldier to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Colored Troops

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the role that African American soldiers had in the Civil War and the impact they had on the US Civil Rights movement after the war. They complete a timeline, read an excerpt and analyze a primary image.
Lesson Plan
American Battlefield Trust

1862: Antietam and Emancipation

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
The Emancipation Proclamation shifted the tone and purpose of the Civil War. Using a primary source analysis, pupils consider the significance of the document. A second activity investigates the founding of the United States Colored...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

United States Colored Troops in Missouri: Finding African American History at the M

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze primary source documents about African American soldiers in Missouri. They work together to complete a worksheet about the document. They discuss the information they gathered as a class.
Lesson Plan
1
1
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of Change

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the history of Liberia to foster a better understanding of the current situation and reflect on the role of the United States as peacekeeper there.
Lesson Plan
PBS

African American History: Honored as Heroes

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
To gain an understanding of the treatment of African American soldiers during World War I, class members watch an excerpt from the History Detectives film, Our Colored Heroes, and then examine three recruitment posters from that...
Lesson Plan7:11
Appalachian State University

Glory: Motion Picture Study Guide

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
This is an excellent resource for teachers to use for incorporating the motion picture Glory into the classroom! Breaking down the film into particular noteworthy and telling scenes, the guide offers important considerations for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reporters at Gettysburg A WebQuest

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create newsletters about the Battle of Gettysburg. In this Civil War lesson, students create a webquest based on the battle. High schoolers use the information and sources to create a Gettysburg newsletter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Museum Exhibit

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders summarize the participation of Indiana citizens in the Civil War. They research an assigned topic and build a museum exhibit that displays at least five points of information relating to the topic. Students write a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Tricolore, the Flag of Italy

For Students 6th - 8th
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a passage describing the history of Italy's flag. Then they respond to six multiple choice questions based on the description they read. Students discover who chose the colors of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diverse Voices-African American Ventures

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research African-American participation in the Civil War. In this Civil War activity, students read the article "Fighting Rebels with Only One Hand" and write a persuasive paragraph on whether the participation of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle of Corydon

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the Battle of Corydon, its military leaders, and its influence on the town. In this Battle of Corydon lesson, 4th graders develop vocabulary needed to complete the lesson, listen as the teacher reads The Battle of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Signs in the Stitching

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students exercise their creativity by designing an original quilt and a written explanation of its meaning. They use primary sources to develop an understanding of Underground Railroad routes through Indiana.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the 'Utah War'

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the contributions of Native American Indians, explorers, and Utah's pioneers.
Handout
Other

Hart Island History: Ny State's Civil War "u.s. Colored Troops"

For Students 9th - 10th
After a brief history of African-American regiments from New York, you can read about the United Stated Colored Troops in general, where they fought, how they were paid, and the number of casualties among the troops.
Website
Other

Camp Nelson: United States Colored Troops at Camp Nelson

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Camp Nelson provides text, photos, and original documents of Camp Nelson, a refugee and training camp for African-Americans during the Civil War.
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: War Dept General Order 143: Creation of Us Colored Troops (1863)

For Students 9th - 10th
Original document that permitted the recruitment of black troops during the Civil War. Read about events and issues leading up to and following the 1863 establishment of the Bureau of Colored Troops.
Primary
University of North Carolina

Susie (Baker) King Taylor: Reminiscences of My Life in Camp

For Students 7th - 9th
Electronic Edition of the text Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33d United States Colored Troops
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: Black Soldiers in the Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This comprehensive site from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) describes the history of the participation of colored troops in the Civil War and government efforts to research and compile records about them....
Handout
Other

Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Point Lookout State Park History

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the prisoner-of-war camp at Point Lookout, Maryland.
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Our Documents is home to one hundred milestone documents that influenced that course of American history and American democracy. Includes full-page scans of each document, transcriptions, background information on their significance, and...