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Lesson Plan
National Constitution Center

Dred Scott v. Sanford

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Dred Scott v. Sanford was a watershed moment for the country—and a key moment leading up to the Civil War. Using videos and analytical worksheets, scholars consider the facts of the case and then develop their own arguments before the...
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Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

Deconstructing Reconstruction: The Reconstruction Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
High schoolers examine the Reconstruction programs instituted following the American Civil War, the potential for change these efforts offered, and the realities that occurred. Guided by a PowerPoint presentation, class members read a...
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Lesson Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

The Political Struggle, 1865-1866

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Healing versus justice. The central source of tension following the United States Civil War was between the demands for healing and the demands for justice, the battle between President Andrew Johnson and Congress. A video introduces the...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

What Would the Ladies Think? An Alabama Secession Story

For Teachers 6th
Alabama voted to secede from the Union preceding the Civil War. What did women think of the decision? The lesson uses letters and newspaper articles to explain women's views on the secession and how they participated in the celebration...
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Lesson Plan
NET Foundation for Television

1850-1874 The Kansas-Nebraska Act

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
How the Kansas-Nebraska Act created Bleeding Kansas is complicated—until scholars research and examine documents from the time. After completing activities that include mapping, photo, document analysis, and discussion, learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A House Divided: Reliving the Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Learners create an exhibit for the American Studies Living History Museum base on their research of issues relating to the causes and consequences of the Civil War.
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Lesson Plan
Read Works

Cause and Effect Relationships in Historical Fiction

For Teachers 4th Standards
Centered around the book Pink and Say, by Patricia Polacco, the lesson presented here should help your class tackle cause and effect. The teacher reads the first few pages aloud and models in a think-aloud style how to identify cause and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Election of 1860

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Young scholars determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Young scholars...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How We Got to Kansas-Nebraska

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore the causes of the Civil War. In this lesson on slavery students use primary sources to examine the evolution of the issue of  slavery and in the American political system. Learners will then write a follow-up essay that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hoosier Soldiers and the Emancipation Proclamation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the impact of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation through the eyes of Indiana soldiers. In this American Civil War lesson plan, 8th graders read the proclamation and then students write essays that included letters...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It Wasn't a Bullet

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore U.S. history by researching disease in class. In this Civil War injury lesson, students identify the different causes of death most soldiers faced while fighting in the war. Students role-play and write a diary entry as...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Embodied Presidency

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the issue of slavery. In this Civil War lesson plan, 8th graders participate in a debate. Students evaluate the impact of slavery and war on the country.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Forgotten Soldiers: Their Glory Remembered

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students watch a video and then role-play what it would have been like to be a member of the 54th Massachusetts regiment during the Civil War.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Need for Reconstruction: Devasation and Liberation in the South

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the amount of destruction in the South following the Civil War. They explore the reasons why Reconstruction was needed.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reporting on a Battle

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars report on battles of the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson, students conduct research that allows them to report on selected battles of the war. Student's newspapers should include eyewitness statements,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders, in groups, study the differences between the 13 Original Colonies, then explore the relationship between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Andersonville National Historic Site

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students describe the conditions of a prisoner of war camp during the Civil War. They analyze ways in whcih the soldiers dealt with prison life. They identify the location of any nearby prisoner of war camps.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Lesson on Reconstruction Legislation and Amendments

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars study the legislation and Amendments of Reconstruction period in America. In this Reconstruction lesson, students work in groups to dissect the Black Codes, an article in the US Constitution, as well as the 13th, 14th, and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slavery

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a short unit on slavery and the U.S. Civil War. They read and analyze the book, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," compose their own secret song, complete an Abraham Lincoln crossword puzzle, and dramatize a historical...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a literature circle after reading a book about the Underground Railroad. They discuss their selected book with their literature circle group, and complete a handout about their role in the circle. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gettysburg Address

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Lincoln's life. In this U.S. history lesson, students examine facts about Abraham Lincoln and then complete 6 extension activities that require them to complete research regarding the Civil War.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Brown Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create timelines of the Harper's Ferry Raid. In this Civil War lesson, students analyze information and music related to John Brown and his abolitionist work. Students design timelines that document the events that led to and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Causes of the Civil War

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the various causes leading to the Civil War. Students create a timeline of the actual events that led to it. Students form small groups and read from one of the included paragraphs about the causes of the war to each...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Causes of the Civil War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research information on the causes of the Civil War. They rank their top three reasons and individuals responsible for the war and then use that information to write a position paper.

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