Lesson · Elementary (BRI Jr)
Course of the Civil War for 3-5
About this lesson
How this lesson flows
Every stage is laid out below, so you can see the whole lesson at a glance. Nothing is hidden.
Guiding questions
- Lesson Plan PDF Essential Question How did the decisions of Unio n leader s during the Civil War demonstrat e responsibility and protect natural rights?
- What were the major events of the Civil War?
- How did President Lincoln’s leadership influence the outcome of the Civil War?
- What was the purpose and outcome of the Emancipation Proclamation?
Learning Objectives
- I can watch a video critically to understand historical concepts.
- I can choose artifacts united by a common theme and justify my choices.
- I can read timelines and historical texts to complete tasks.
- I can write descriptions of primary source artifacts.
- I can curate a virtual museum exhibit.
- I can reflect on my work and set goals for future work.
Content Objectives
- I can define responsibility and natural rights.
- I can summarize the major events of the Civil War.
- I can identify the major leaders and battles of the Civil War.
- I can describe the significance of Lincoln’s actions as president.
- I can read primary source excerpts of the Emancipation Proclamation with support.
Lesson components
Everything you need, in the version that fits your class.
Activity3-5 Elementary Vocabulary Word Study HandoutA template to help students define key vocabulary words.
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Activity3-5 Course of the Civil War Video Predictions and QuestionsA handout to accompany the lesson video that helps guide students through the major themes of the Civil War.
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Activity3-5 Elementary Course of the Civil War ArtifactsThree collections of artifacts to accompany the museum curation activities.
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Activity3-5 Course of the Civil War Writing Museum Descriptions ActivityA handout to help guide students to creating their own Civil War museum exhibit.
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Activity3-5 Course of the Civil War Explaining a Museum Grouping HandoutA handout to help students show-off their museum collections.
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Activity3-5 Elementary Civil War Leaders ActivityA handout to help students understand the key leaders on each side of the Civil War.
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Activity3-5 Elementary Course of the Civil War ReadingLexiled readings that provide an overview of the Civil War for elementary students.
DownloadA student handout to accompany the Life of Abraham Lincoln Timeline.
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Activity3-5 Elementary Life of Abraham Lincoln TimelineA robust timeline chronically dozens of event in the life of the 16th president Abraham Lincoln.
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Activity3-5 Elementary Emancipation Proclamation Primary SourceA scaffolded version of this primary source for elementary students.
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Activity3-5 Course of the Civil War Virtual Museum HandoutA handout to help students plan their virtual museum.
DownloadA self-reflection activity that allows students to internalize their learning.
DownloadMaterials
Teacher Resources
Student Resources
- Handout A: Vocabulary Word Study
- Handout B: Video Predictions and Questions
- Handout C: Civil War Artifacts
- Handout D: Writing Museum Descriptions
- Handout E: Explaining an artifact grouping
- Handout F: Choice Board
- Handout G: Lesson Reading
- Handout H: Lincoln Timeline
- Handout I: Emancipation Proclamation Primary Source
- Handout J: Virtual Museum Assignment and Planning Sheet
- Handout K: Student Self-Assessment
The lesson, step by step
Open each stage as you teach it, or expand them all to read straight through.
More Information
This lesson is designed around inquiry questions. There is one essential question, and several guiding questions around which the content is based. The lesson takes place in 5 stages:
- Anticipate- Students build background knowledge needed to be successful in the lesson.
- Engage- Students are ‘hooked” into the lesson.
- Explore- Students grapple with the main content of the unit (usually 2-3 parts).
- Assess- Students demonstrate their knowledge through a performance assessment.
- Reflect- Students reflect on their learning in the lesson.
- The sections below provide a brief overview of the unit’s structure. It offers a snapshot of the organization and flow of the entire unit.
The following detailed sections break down the five stages of the lesson. Each stage is discussed thoroughly with actionable steps to guide you through the teaching process effectively.