Wisconsin and the Civil War
A social studies unit for my 4th and 5th grade class
I planned and taught this unit in my 4th and 5th grade practicum site during my fourth semester in the UW Elementary Education Program. However, I've added a few components, such as the field-trip, that I was not able to teach in my classroom but would like to include if I were to teach this unit again.
'Wisconsin and the Civil War' was a chapter in my students social studies book titled, Wisconsin: Our State, Our History. Wisconsin history is the focus of their entire social studies curriculum for the year. I designed this unit with the intent to supplement the chapter provided to me in their curriculum with additional resources. My goals were to include a variety of sources (both primary and secondary) as well as activities that pushed students to consider events and issues from multiple perspectives. I including sources such as interviews with former slaves, a presentation from a civil war re-enactor, artifacts, books, articles, videos, PowerPoint presentations, and photographs. I also designed activities such as a role play around the issue of slavery, a group poster project about soldiers from various backgrounds, and a letter writing activity from multiple perspectives.
It is important to note that the main goal of this unit was not to teach about the Civil War in it's entirety, but rather to touch on main events and issues through the study of Wisconsin's role in the war.
Essential Questions for the unit:
'Wisconsin and the Civil War' was a chapter in my students social studies book titled, Wisconsin: Our State, Our History. Wisconsin history is the focus of their entire social studies curriculum for the year. I designed this unit with the intent to supplement the chapter provided to me in their curriculum with additional resources. My goals were to include a variety of sources (both primary and secondary) as well as activities that pushed students to consider events and issues from multiple perspectives. I including sources such as interviews with former slaves, a presentation from a civil war re-enactor, artifacts, books, articles, videos, PowerPoint presentations, and photographs. I also designed activities such as a role play around the issue of slavery, a group poster project about soldiers from various backgrounds, and a letter writing activity from multiple perspectives.
It is important to note that the main goal of this unit was not to teach about the Civil War in it's entirety, but rather to touch on main events and issues through the study of Wisconsin's role in the war.
Essential Questions for the unit:
- What is slavery and how did it play a role in the Civil War? How were various people affected by slavery?
- Why did the United States engage in a civil war?
- How was Wisconsinites involved in the Civil War?
- How were various groups of people (men, women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants) involved in and affected by the war?
- How did the war and it's outcome affect Wisconsin and the United States?
