Civil War Images: It's in the Cards!

Designed by: Jeff Fouste School: Gibbes Middle School

Grade Level: 8th     Subject(s): SC / US History

Core Curriculum Objective(s):  Identify people and terms associated with the Civil War.  (8SC101)

Overview: Students will, using Media Center resources, create "FLASH" cards of the leading historical figures of the Civil War era. The cards will be used to learn the faces and names of these figures as well as using them for a review prior to a "Names and Faces" of the Civil War Quiz.

Focus/Essential Question(s): 

1. Why did you pick this particular individual? 

2. Where did you find this image? 

3. Would you like to have met this person? Why?

Time Frame: -3 to 4 class meetings

Resources/Materials: -access to an appropriate number of Internet capable computers (Media Center or Computer Lab) with scanners and software -access to laminating equipment

Culminating Assessment: 

1. At the end of this lesson of study about the Civil War, all flash cards and accompanying Focus Question answers, will be examined by the teacher for completion. 

2. The student is expected to give a short oral presentation and answer the three Focus Questions.

Instructional Activities:

1. Students, working alone or with a partner (depending on class size and numbers of available computers), will choose an historical character of the Civil War era from a list provided by the teacher. 

2. Students will research their character and answer their Focus Questions using either a hard source (encyclopedia or reference book) or an online search using Searchopolis or Yahooligans. They will at this stage also locate an image that needs to be either downloaded to a Word document or scanned and imported into a Word document. 

3. Students will print an image of their character that is no larger than 4"x5" with an accompanying name and historical description for the reverse side. They will then present the sheets to the teacher for lamination. 

4. Students will write the answers to their Focus Questions on 3"x5" cards to be used in a brief oral presentation. 

5. The laminated flash cards will be used in conjunction with the student's 3"x5" cards for an oral presentation. The cards will then be used in the class room by the teacher to prepare students for a "Images of the Civil War" Quiz.