Last updated: March 3, 2020
Lesson Plan
The Bloodiest Day in American History -- Hope for Freedom
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Lesson Duration:
- 90 Minutes
- Common Core Standards:
- 6.L.1, 6.L.2, 6.L.3, 6.L.4, 6.L.5, 6.L.6, 7.L.1, 7.L.2, 7.L.3, 7.L.4, 7.L.5, 7.L.6, 8.L.1, 8.L.2, 8.L.3, 8.L.4, 8.L.5, 8.L.6, 6-8.RH.1, 6-8.RH.2, 6-8.RH.3, 6-8.RH.4, 6-8.RH.5, 6-8.RH.6, 6-8.RH.7, 6-8.RH.8, 6-8.RH.9, 6-8.RH.10, 6.RI.1, 6.RI.2, 6.RI.3, 6.RI.4, 6.RI.6, 6.RI.7, 6.RI.10, 7.RI.1, 7.RI.2, 7.RI.3, 7.RI.4, 7.RI.5, 7.RI.6, 7.RI.7, 7.RI.8, 7.RI.9, 7.RI.10, 8.RI.1, 8.RI.2, 8.RI.3, 8.RI.4, 8.RI.5, 8.RI.6, 8.RI.7, 8.RI.8, 8.RI.9, 8.RI.10, 6.SL.1, 6.SL.2, 6.SL.3, 6.SL.4, 6.SL.5, 6.SL.6, 7.SL.1, 7.SL.2, 7.SL.3, 7.SL.4, 7.SL.5, 7.SL.6, 8.SL.1, 8.SL.2, 8.SL.3, 8.SL.4, 8.SL.5, 8.SL.6, 6.W.1, 6.W.2, 6.W.3, 6.W.4, 6.W.5, 6.W.6, 6.W.7, 6.W.8, 6.W.9, 6.W.10, 7.W.1, 7.W.2, 7.W.3, 7.W.4, 7.W.5, 7.W.6, 7.W.8, 7.W.9, 7.W.10, 8.W.1, 8.W.2, 8.W.3, 8.W.4, 8.W.5, 8.W.6, 8.W.7, 8.W.8, 8.W.9
- Additional Standards:
- National Center for History in Schools, UCLA, U.S. Era 5, Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877), Standard 1: The causes of the Civil War, Standard 2, The course and character of the Civil War and its effects on the American people.
- Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
Why was the Battle of Antietam a significant turning point in the Civil War and in American History?
Objective
Evaluate provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's reasons for issuing it and its significance.
Explain the causes of the Civil War and evaluate the importance of slavery as a principal cause of the conflict.
Identify the turning points of the war and evaluate how political, military and diplomatic leadership affected the outcome.
Determine the central ideas of a primary or secondary source and provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Background
Over 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
Preparation
Materials: Large format paper, drawing and/or art supplies, pens and pencils or desktop publishing software/tablet app. Printed copies of the primary and secondary sources or student access to the internet.
Procedure
Students will assume the role of war correspondents and gather facts about the battle through utilizing primary and secondary sources.
Using the Resource Section and the Primary & Historic Source List below, students will learn about the Battle of Antietam and then write and illustrate a period newspaper.
During the first class period, students will work in small groups to read, discuss, and evaluate primary and secondary resources.
During the second class period, students will use a newspaper size piece of paper to illustrate and write articles about the battle. (Alternatively, they can create the newspaper using desktop publishing software or a tablet).
During the third period students will present their newspapers to the class and explain what they learned.
Resource Section
American Battlefield Trust. 15-minute “Antietam: Animated Map” video.
National Park Service. High resolution enlargeable copy of the Antietam National Battlefield park brochure.
National Park Service. Freedom at Antietam.
Primary & Historic Sources
Library of Congress, Map Battle of Antietam, Md.
National Archives. Emancipation Proclamation.
National Park Service. Historic Newspaper Sketches of Antietam Battlefield.
National Park Service. Historic Photographs by Alexander Gardner.
National Park Service. Hope Paintings.
National Park Service. Eyewitness to Battle.
Assessment Materials
Assessment Tools-Completed newspapers and student presentations.
Enrichment Activities
Have the groups report on the battle from different perspectives, i.e. Northerners, Southerners, Free African-Americans, Abolitionists, etc.
Have students read three Civil War Era letters. Ask them to pretend they are a soldier, surgeon, nurse, or civilian and write a letter home to their loved ones.
Have students research and report on communication during the Civil War (for instance War Correspondents often sent their reports to their editors via telegraph).
Related Lessons or Education Materials
American Battlefield Trust. Civil War Lesson Plan: 1862: Antietam and Emancipation.
National Endowment for the Humanities. Lesson Plan: The Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom's First Steps.
PBS (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) & WETA. LESSON PLAN #1, Conflicting Newspaper Accounts.