Guest Speakers

Sketches & Maps

Grade Level:
Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
State Standards:
VA 4.6 The student will explore and examine cultural and historical influences or art.
VA 4.7 The student will explain how art is an integral part of one’s life and community.
VA 5.7 The student will describe how artists contribute to society.

Essential Questions: 

  • What is the influence of art on culture and history? 
  • How do maps and historic sketches help historians understand the past? 
  • What details are important for a map or a sketch? 

Objective: 

This park ranger-led classroom program is designed for upper elementary and middle school students (4th-8th grade). Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate creativity in sketching an image as a war correspondent, or creating their own version of a civil war map based on the methods that original artists used.

Students are encouraged to draw or sketch scenes to create their own unique depictions based on field observations and original materials Students will be able to look at the landscape around them and depict it on a map of their own creation. 

Teacher Information:

The purpose of Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is to preserve, protect, and interpret a nationally significant Civil War landscape and antebellum agricultural community; to tell the rich story of Shenandoah Valley history from early Native American occupation onward; to preserve and interpret the significant historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources associated with the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation. 

The park serves as a focal point within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to recognize and interpret important Civil War events, including the key battles and campaigns of 1862 and 1864. 

Park fundamental resources includes opportunities for contemplation and inspiration. 

Preparation:

This program is designed to be presented on-site at a school classroom, library, or community space. Program duration is 45-minutes to 1-hour. Park rangers will need access to a computer monitor or smart board to display a powerpoint slideshow. 

Students will need a desk, table, or clipboard as a workspace. Park rangers will provide sketch paper and pencils for students to use. 

Program Details:

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Introduction
Slideshow presentation to introduce the mission statement of the National Park Service and Cedar Creek and Belle Grove NHP. Why is there a national park in the Shenandoah Valley? Time estimate: 10-15 minutes. 

Historic Mapmakers and Artists 
Students will learn about individuals like Jedediah Hotchkiss, Alfred Waud, and James E. Taylor. How did they contribute to the Civil War? Army officers used maps to move their armies and plan for battle. Sketch artists worked as eye-witness news correspondants and used their images to relay news of battles and events to the homefront. Time estimate: 10-15 minutes. 

Create Your Own 
Would you rather be a map maker or a sketch artist? Looking at original maps and sketches, students will create their own versions. Be sure to observe carefully, and reflect on your surroundings! Time estimate: 15-20 minutes. 

Conclusion
Wrap up discussion about how maps and sketches help us better understand historical events. 
  • What did you choose to draw/sketch, and why?
  • What questions do you think future historians might ask about your drawing or map? 

Tags: cedar creek and belle grove national historical park civil war civil war education

Last updated: July 20, 2024