Ch 1: Civil War Lesson Plans
About This Chapter
Civil War Lesson Plans - Chapter Summary
This chapter shows you how to create lessons about the most important historical events related to the American Civil War, including the impact of the 1860 election, the causes of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg, Reconstruction, and more.
You can present multimedia lessons that summarize these events to your students and test their knowledge using interactive lesson quizzes. This will also help engage your students in class discussion.
How It Helps
- Learning objectives: Covers the most significant information regarding the Civil War
- Common core: Makes sure your Civil War lesson plans meet educational standards
- Additional resources: Comes with Civil War lessons you can assign your students as homework or present during class before a lecture or discussion
How It Works
This helpful resource offers teachers lesson plan outlines with relevant tools to make planning Civil War lessons easy.
- Find lesson plans for specific the Civil War topics you want to cover in class.
- Formulate your American history class outline using the suggested classroom tools offered in the lesson plans.
- Share the related the Civil War lessons for each lesson plan with students in class to make learning fun and engaging.
- Use related lesson quizzes to ensure your students understand the most important the historical concepts from the lessons.
- Engage your students with relevant the Civil War-related activities, discussion questions or other materials found in the lesson plan outline.
1. Civil War Essay Topics
An essay can be a great way for students to consolidate and showcase their understanding of a topic. This lesson provides you with some ideas for essays about the Civil War.
2. Civil War Essential Questions
When learning about the Civil War, it can be helpful to know what big questions are most worth thinking about. Here are some essential questions for helping students study and learn about the Civil War.
3. Civil War Projects for Middle School
The American Civil War was a tumultuous time in our country's history. Teaching middle school students about this period can be challenging. Use these project ideas to diversify and broaden instruction.
4. Secession Lesson Plan
This lesson plan provides several activities, a quiz, and discussion topics and questions that will help students learn more about the concept of secession.
5. Inauguration of Jefferson Davis Lesson Plan
What was Jefferson Davis' message at his inauguration in 1861? This lesson plan outlines the words of Davis and compares his position to that of his opponent, Abraham Lincoln. An activity takes students back in time to review the issues that prevailed in 1861.
6. A House Divided Speech Lesson Plan
Who presented the 'A House Divided' speech and what was its overall message? This lesson plan uses a text lesson to outline key facts about Abraham Lincoln's influential speech. An activity connects students with the actual words of America's 16th president.
7. King Cotton Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to explore the role of cotton in the American Civil War and discuss how it was used in Southern diplomatic strategies.
8. Homestead Act Activities & Games
Learning about history can be greatly enhanced through the use of engaging activities. This lesson provides teachers with Homestead Act-related activities that can be used to reinforce related material that has been covered in class.
9. Gettysburg Address Activities & Games
The words of the ''Gettysburg Address'' have long been memorialized in American history and culture. Use these activities and games to help students understand this speech and its historical importance.
10. Emancipation Proclamation Lesson Plan for Elementary School
Use this lesson plan to teach your students about the historical events that surrounded the Emancipation Proclamation. They'll delve into the Proclamation itself, and discuss its important ramifications as well as their personal thoughts on the document.
11. Civil War Simulation Lesson Plan
The Civil War in America brought immense conflict to the United States. This lesson plan divides students into Union and Confederate forces. An activity reinforces strategy and the outcomes of key battles.
12. End of the U.S. Civil War Lesson Plan
Most students can explain how the Civil War began but do they know the details of how it ended? This lesson plan explores how five Confederate generals surrendered or fled. Students will watch a video, answer questions, complete an activity and take a quiz.
13. U.S. Civil War Lesson Plan for Elementary School
The Civil War was a time of great division in America's history. This lesson plan uses a text lesson to summarize the causes, conflicts, and resolution to the war. An activity reinforces key facts and creates a visual representation of the conflict.
14. U.S. Civil War Technology Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to learn about technological advancements during the U.S. Civil War. They will consider how people at the time would have felt about these technologies, particularly photography.
15. U.S. Civil War Technology: Advancements & Facts
The American Civil War was the costliest conflict in United States history. In this lesson, we will learn how new ideas lead to wartime advances in technology that would last long after the struggle had ended.
16. States Rights & The Civil War Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to examine the issues of slavery and states' rights in relation to the US Civil War. Students will use primary sources in order to help them evaluate the causes of the Civil War.
17. States Rights & the Civil War
In this lesson, we'll look at the notion of states' rights and their role in the United States Civil War, as well as some examples of how states' rights were invoked regarding the question of slavery. After diving into this debate, you'll be able to test your knowledge with a quiz!
18. Effects of the U.S. Civil War Lesson Plan
This lesson plan is a tool for helping students learn about the effects of the American Civil War. Students will answer questions about a text and summarize the economic, political, and societal impact.
19. Civil War Debate Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students will identify issues leading to the division of the North and South. They will debate whether or not secession can be avoided as representatives of these geographical regions.
20. U.S. Civil War Draft Riots Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to learn about the Draft Riots of 1863. They will then examine this event through visual primary sources, which they will analyze for facts and for bias.
21. U.S. Civil War Draft Riots of 1863: Summary & Facts
The draft riots in July, 1863 illustrate how racial, social and economic differences came to a head in New York City. In this lesson, learn about New York City prior to the riot, the events of the draft riot and the damage done in the riot.
22. African American Soldiers in the Civil War Lesson Plan
This lesson plan can be used to teach students the role of African Americans during the Civil War. Students will watch a video lesson, discuss content, take a quiz, and complete a project.
23. Sherman's March to the Sea Lesson Plan
This lesson will help your students summarize the strategy behind Sherman's March to the Sea. Students will watch a video lesson, participate in group activities, and prove their knowledge with a short quiz.
24. Civil War in Texas Lesson Plan
With this lesson plan, your students are going to learn about Texas' role in the American Civil War. They will expand on this by researching the ways that Texan soldiers participated in the war.
25. Emancipation Proclamation Lesson Plan for High School
This lesson will help your students understand the purpose and the controversies surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation. Students will watch a video lesson, collaborate with other students, and test their knowledge with a short quiz.
26. Causes of the Civil War Lesson Plan
Don't be daunted by your instruction on the causes of the Civil War! Study.com has simplified the process with the help of two fact-filled video lessons and an eye-opening activity for students.
27. Election of 1860 Lesson Plan
Have your students cast their votes during your instruction on the election of 1860. Comprehension is boosted with an in-class vote and a Study.com video lesson. Deeper exploration of the topic is available with the use of the optional supplementary activities and related lessons.
28. Emancipation Proclamation Lesson Plan
Use this Study.com lesson plan to teach your students about the Emancipation Proclamation. Have them use high-level thinking skills to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the document.
29. Emancipation Proclamation Discussion Questions
The Emancipation Proclamation, given by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, is a key document in U.S. history. Use these discussion questions to help your middle and high school students think critically about the text.
30. Gettysburg Address Lesson Plan
Use this Study.com lesson plan to teach students about the Gettysburg Address. Analyze language, then ask students to demonstrate understanding with a writing activity.
31. Civil War Timeline Project Ideas
The U.S. Civil War is studied in classrooms across the country from elementary to high school. One great way to organize the causes, events and effects of the Civil War is through a timeline. These projects are created for students of all ages.
32. Introduction to the Civil War Lesson Plan
This lesson plan will help introduce your students to the American Civil War. Students will read a text lesson, collaborate with other students to create and perform a skit, and test their knowledge with a short quiz.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the US History - Civil War: Lesson Plans & Resources course