Social Studies Curriculum

Unit 4: The Civil War

(Suggested amount of time to spend on unit: 5 - 6 weeks)

FOCUS QUESTIONS

FQ1:Why did certain events lead to the escalation of the conflict between the North and the South? (EQ3,4,6)

• Compromise of 1850
• Fugitive Slave Laws
• John Brown raids
• Kansas Nebraska Act
• Dred Scott Decision
• Election of 1860

S1; PS5 Examine data to determine the adequacy and sufficiency of evidence, point of view, historical context, bias, distortion and propaganda, and to distinguish fact from opinion.

S1; PS6 Analyze data in order to see persons and events in their historical context, understand casual factors and appreciate change over time.

S2; PS1 Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of major events and trends of United States history (e.g. American Revolution, The Civil War, industrialization, the Great Depression, the cold war).

S3; PS9 Explain how economic factors influenced historical events in the United States and other regions of the world.

S4; PS1 Initiate questions and hypothesis about historic events being studied.

S5; PS8 Describe how the public agenda is shaped by political leaders and parties, interest groups, the media, public opinion, state and federal courts, and individual citizens.

S6;PS5 Research an issue of interest and be able to take and defend a position on that issue.

S9; PS4 Identify and evaluate various perspectives associated with places and regions.

FQ2:How did specific military engagements effect the outcome of the war and impact civilian life? (EQ3,5,6)

• Formation of the Confederate States
• Civil War
• Attack on Fort Sumter
• Bull Run / Manassas
• Antietam
• Fredericksburg
• Vicksburg
• Gettysburg
• Sherman ’s March
• Appomattox Court House

S1; PS1 Formulate historical questions based on primary and secondary sources, including documents, eyewitness accounts, letters and diaries, artifacts, real or simulated historical sites, charts, graphs, diagrams and written texts.

S1; PS4 Interpret data in historical maps, photographs, art works and other artifacts.

S1; PS6 Analyze data in order to see persons and events in their historical context, understand casual factors and appreciate change over time.

S6; PS3 Evaluate situations involving conflicts between right and propose solutions to these conflicts.

FQ3:How was the relationship between the reunited North and South impacted by the Civil War? (EQ2,3,4)

S4; PS4 Display empathy for people who have lived in the past.

S9; PS3 Examine ways in which regions are interconnected.

S9; PS4 Identify and evaluate various perspectives associated with places and regions.

NOTES TO TEACHER:

RESOURCES:

Provided resources:

America the Dream and the People

We the People

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES:

Specific Battle Diorama - ID key participants.

Compare songs of the era - how do they illustrate life at that time?

Letter home from the battlefield.

Battlefield Time Capsule-include diary entry, uniform, song, food, newspaper.

ASSESSMENTS:

Essential questions
Focus questions
Performance tasks
Tests/quizzes