Lesson: Civil War Subject Area: Social Studies

Tricia Horak April 2, 2012

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Standard: W.5.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. SL.5.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly.

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Objective/Benchmark: The student will understand feelings and thoughts of people from the Civil War time period. The student will engage in a discussion about the different sides people had during the Civil War. The student will listen as the teacher reads an informational text about the Civil War. The student will brainstorm what information they already know about the Civil War. Anticipatory Set: The students will each be given a small piece of scrap paper. The students will then be given two minutes to write down anything they know about the Civil War. The students will share what they wrote down with the class and information will be written onto the board by the teacher. This is the same anticipatory set that was used in the first lesson on the Civil War. Input: Task analysis: Students will need to use their knowledge of the Civil War during this lesson. Any prior knowledge they know about Abraham Lincoln as well as the Civil War will be very beneficial during this lesson. Thinking Levels: Knowledge-Students will recall information about the Civil War. Comprehension-Students will listen and understand an informational text in order to understand how people during the Civil War were feeling.

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Application-Students will write a letter to a friend as if they were living during the time of the Civil War. Learning Styles and Accommodations: Students that are auditory learners will be able to listen to information read about Civil War. Other students will benefit through the classroom discussion and writing a letter to help understand the Civil War. Differentiated Instruction Strategies: The teacher can clarify words that students may have difficulty with during the reading. The teacher can also help individual students when they are working individually on their letters. The classroom discussion can be led by the teacher and students that have good understanding of the Civil War. Methods and Materials: Materials: Scrap paper for each student Pencils White Board Paper for letters Articles for teacher to read about the Civil War Methods: 1. Students will be given a scrap piece of paper and two minutes to write down anything they know about the Civil War. 2. The teacher will lead a discussion and write down what the students brainstormed on the board. 3. Teacher will read an article that gives a brief summary about the Civil War. 4. The teacher will lead a discussion about what the students learned about the Civil War. 5. Students will pretend they were alive during the Civil War and will write a letter to a friend explaining their feelings and what is happening around them. 6. Students will be given an opportunity to share their letters with the class and explain the feelings they incorporated into the letter. V. Modeling: The teacher will read the article about the Civil War and will lead discussions with students about the Civil War. The teacher will focus on how different people may have been feeling during the war.

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Checking for Understanding: The teacher will check for understanding during the discussions to see what students have learned through the article that was read. Students will also be able to learn from one another during the classroom discussions. The teacher will question students on how certain people on each side of the war may have been feeling. Guided Practice: The guided practice will occur during the classroom discussions. The teacher will guide students to an understanding of different peoples emotions during that time period. Independent Practice: Students will independently be writing a letter as if they were alive during the Civil War to one of their friends. The teacher will ask the students to pay specific attention to emotions people on either side of the war may have had. Closure: The teacher will end the lesson after students have completed their letters. Students will be given an opportunity to share their letters with the class. Brief discussions will follow after each lesson is read. Assessment The teacher can evaluate the students by looking at the information they included in their letter. The student should use information and emotions that people would have had during the Civil War. Reflection

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