Dover Sherborn Middle School Curriculum Road Maps

 

 

Course Title:                 U.S. History                             Grade:              8         

 

Unit:                 Civil War                                             

Month Presented:         April/May                              Unit Length (in weeks):    3         

 

 

Essential Question (s):

 

  • Is war ever acceptable?
  • Are there fair methods of conflict?

 

Learning Objectives:

 

1.        Identify and classify the political, social and economic factors that led to secession and Civil War.

 

2.       Compare and contrast the military strengths and weaknesses of the Union and Confederacy. 

 

3.       Describe and evaluate actions of the U.S. government and leadership to preserve the Union during war time. 

 

4.       Give examples of the challenges and contributions of women and African Americans during the Civil War. 

 

Skills:               Primary Document analysis, Mapmaking and analysis, Presentation and speaking                        skills, Cooperative Group work

 

Instructional Strategies & Activities

 

·          Across Five Aprils- Chapter segment, Quote and Reaction assignment

·          “Armchair General” Mapping and Strategy Activity

·          Taking Stock:           Military, Economic Resources of the North and South

·          Matthew Brady Photograph Classroom Exhibition

·          Civil War Battles Graphic Organizer

·          “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures?”  Case studies of war time decisions (habeas corpus, draft riots, emancipation proclamation)

·          Time Magazine Article Reading and Reaction:     “Was Lincoln A Racist?”

·          Classroom Debate/Argumentative Essay:          “Was Lincoln A Racist?”

·          Civil War Historical Fiction Journal Assignment:

·          Massachusetts 54th regiment

·          Movie Review of Glory, James McPherson 

·          Primary Sources        Sullivan Ballou Letter

Journal of Mary Chestnut

A Black Women’s Civil War Journal

The Emancipation Proclamation

Gettysburg Address

2nd Inaugural Address

·          Videos/Multimedia:    Glory (segment)

The Civil War (segment)

 

Materials Utilized:         Primary Sources, Political cartoons, Graphic organizers, Rubrics, CD-                                     Roms, Video, Overhead Projector, Art

 

Assessment Strategies:  tests, quizzes, essays, daily preparation, oral presentations,                                                 mapmaking