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These lesson plans have been created by educators for educators. Plans, materials, and resources are included so feel free to print, modify, and use in your classroom.  

Civil War Figures as Examples of Character »
Students will discuss the topic of character, identify what good character traits are, and identify character traits of historic figures by reading their biographies. 

Civil War Slang » 
Students will study the common vocabulary used amongst Civil War soldiers and then use it to write their own letters.

Civil War Literature Circle »
By combining Civil War fictional literature with history lessons on the Civil War the students will discuss their book in relation to what they are learning about the Civil War in history class.

Civil War Reader's Theater »
Students will take part in reading a play about the Civil War aloud, practicing fluency and gaining content knowledge about the Civil War.

Creating a Civil War Newspaper »
After researching and studying newspapers from the Civil War students will use their creative writing, design, and computer skills to develop their own "Civil War" newspaper. 

Did Your Ancestors Fight in the Civil War? »
Create a personal tie for students with the Civil War by having them research a relative or soldier who participated in the Civil War.

Election of 1864 »
Teach your students about the election of 1864 without revealing a winner and then conduct a vote.  Find out who the winner would have been for your class!

Mapping the Civil War »
Students will use the tools common to 1860's map makers to map a familiar location and then decide where camping, battles, and troop movement should take place.

This Gives Life to Thee: A Guided Understanding of Civil War Battlefield Preservation »
Delve into the study of memorialization with your students.  Look at modern memorialization practices in comparison to those of the 1860's.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin »
Complete a literature study of one of the most famous and influential works of all time.

Using Living History to Understand the Common Soldier »
Involve reenactors and reenactment in your classroom to teach the Civil War.

Who Were the 200,000 African American Freedom Fighters »
Using primary documents to draw conclusions students will discover the diversity of Civil War soldiers.

Battle of Fredericksburg»
Use our animated map of Fredericksburg to teach mapping skills and critical thinking skills.

Battle of the Battlefields »
After researching a particular battlefield students will write and present arguments to government official for the preservation of their battlefield.

Civil War Battlefields »
Create brochures to battlefields discussing their historic significance and reason for preservation.

Contrasting the North and South During the Antebellum Period » 
Students will compare and contrast the Northern and Southern regions of the United States during the late 19th century.

Creating a Historic Site »
After choosing a location students will conduct original research and establish arguments for the preservation and recognition of the historic site.

Creating Civil War Multimedia Journals »
Students produce multimedia Civil War Journals using primary documents, creative writing skills, design tools, and computer software.

Fighting for African-American Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship » 

Students will have the opportunity study the roll of African-Americans during the Civil War using primary sources and then apply that knowledge to develop a memorial. 

John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry »

Using primary sources students will learn about the raid and discuss whether or not John Brown was hero.

John Brown's Raid: Timelines and 19th Century Pop Culture »

Students will create a timeline of the raid and then develop their own lyrics to "John Brown's Body." 

Preservation of Civil War Battlefields - Best Lesson Plan 2009 »

Can’t go on a field trip to Gettysburg; try out this lesson using the National Park Service virtual tour software.

Researching Local Civil War Soldiers »
Using local resources students will research a local soldier who served in the Civil War and present their findings.

The Roads to Antietam » 
Using maps skills and analysis of primary documents from 1862, students will analyze and create a battle plan in preparation for the battle of Antietam. 

What's in a Name » 
Explore the challenges faced by Irish and African American war veterans using case studies created from pension records.

Transcribing Civil War History »
Given a document from the Civil War students will transcribe the document and orally present it to their classmates.

United States Colored Troops »
Students will research the USCT and discuss the progression of civil rights from the Civil War to today. 

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