TEACHER'S GUIDE

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Introduction:
This website is to help students better understand and organize the key figures in the Civil War.

Grade Level:
4th Grade- this can be adapted for higher grades.

State Standards:
Civil War and Post-War Eras
VS.7 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the issues that divided our nation and led to the Civil War by
a) identifying the events and differences between northern and southern states that divided Virginians and led to secession, war, and the creation of West Virginia;
b) describing Virginia’s role in the war, including identifying major battles that took place in Virginia.


Estimated Time:
1 week This lesson can be done in various time ranges. I recommend a 1-2 day discussion of the Civil War and its causes. Give 1-2 days for key figures for the Union and 1-2 days for key figures for the Confederacy.

Objectives:
Students will navigate through the web pages. They will then choose a key Civil War figure that they would like to write about. Students will write a report on one of the key figures in the Civil War. Students will use the web links and other classroom materials to help you. Students will write a report on their figure. Students will give an oral presentation to the class. Students will find a picture of their key figure.

Materials:
  1. Computer
  2. Internet
  3. Paper/Pencil or Microsoft Word for typing
  4. Printer
  5. Related Texts if desired


Procedure
  1. Review the entire lesson before presenting it to the students.
  2. Introduce the topic of the Civil War
  3. Explain the 3 main issues of the Civil War
  4. Explain the 2 sides of the Civil War
  5. Explain that this was a war between Americans on homeland
  6. Explain the 2 Presidents (Lincoln & Davis)
  7. Explain the 2 Generals (Grant & Lee)
  8. Explain important key people
  9. Have the students investigate each Civil War figure and read facts about them.
  10. Have students then decide and pick one Civil War figure
  11. Students will research that figure to write a paper on.
  12. Students papers length can be to the teachers’ discretion
  13. Students will find a picture of their key figure
  14. Student will write a summary report of the Civil War figure’s life. They may do this on paper or using a typing program
  15. When all reports are finished, the class will give an oral present their reports to each other.


Extension
  1. Allow students who finish early to search the resource pages for other key figures not mentioned on this webpage.
  2. Allow students to research any family that they may have had in the Civil War.


Assessment
  1. Students will be assessed on the paper and presentation.
  2. 20% Oral Presentation
  3. 20% Grammar
  4. 50% Research (25% accurate, 25% relevant)
  5. 10% Picture