Engaging With History in the Classroom

Engaging With History in the Classroom: The Civil War is the second in a series of middle-grade U.S. history units that focus on what it means to be an American citizen, living in a democracy that expects as much from its citizens as it provides to them. In every lesson, students are asked to step into the world of 19th-century America, to hear about and to see what was happening, to read the words of real people and to imagine their hopes, dreams, and feelings. Students also learn to question the accounts left behind and to recognize different perspectives on events that divided the nation but resulted in progress in the path to liberty for all. Resources for teachers include a running script useful as a model for guiding conceptualization as well as extensive teacher notes with practical suggestion for personalizing activities. Grades 6-8