Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Civil War Name: Patrick Bates

Content Area: U.S History Grade Level: 8th Grade
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
9. 8.10 Students analyze the multiple causes, key events, and complex consequences of the Civil War.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

How much did geographical lines play in American belief?

What were the reasons for the differing economies between the North and the South? Did these economies play a role in the causes of war?
What were reasons for specific states wanting to secede from the Union?
What were Abraham Lincolns most significant speeches and writings? What specific principles did they outline?
The student should name ame specific events and turning points in the war, and address the significance of the events in the larger picture.

Unit Summary:
Students will be taking a hands-on approach to learning the significance of the American Civil War. In this unit, they will be learning about the significant
division that was taking place during the early 19th century between the North and the South. They will be learning how the differing geography and economies
played a role in the division, and about the leaders that led the pre-war political battles. Students will learn about Abraham Lincolns significant speeches and
how they played a role in the American mindset regarding the future of the nation. Studnts will be able to discuss the major battles and leaders of the war, and
the results of these battles. Students will also be able to recognize the condition of the nation after the civil war, from infrastructure problems to economic
problems.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Formative: Summative:
Survey/Anticipation Guide (Civil War Statements) Exit Slip (Events Leading to Civil War) Presentation Life of a Northern and Southern
Timeline (Journey of Abe Lincoln) citizen in 1850s
Venn Diagram (Economic/Geographical difference Essay Significance of Lincolns Speehes
in North and South
Quiz Political beliefs of North and South
Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence : Lesson Activities:
The student should be able to name 2 common The students will produce a large map An activity will have students take on the role of a general citizen
occupations for a Southern citizen and a Northern that will include the geographical from both the north and the south. The students will act out this
citizen during Pre-Civil War America. They should characteristics that made up Pre-Civil persons occupation, viewpoints, and even speak about the
be able to compare the occupations and discuss War America. The map will include geographical climate and why it tailors to their occupation.
why they were effective for that geographical area. common occupations for each region.
Lesson 2 (Webercise/ iPad Lesson)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
Students will be able to describe 2 A student will fill in a worksheet Lessons and videos on each major battle of the war.
geographical advantages and that follows along with the website.
obstacles for the North and South. The worksheet will outline 1 Discussion of the significance of major military leaders for the North and the South
They will be able to discuss at least northern victory and 1 southern
2 major battles and address their victory. The descriptions will
significance. include the geographical
advantages and disadvantages,
along with the significance in the
overall war effort.
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Objective: Acceptable Evidence: Lesson Activities:
The students should be able to Students will be broken off into
name at least 2 of Abraham small groups, each with a separate Students will read his House Divided (1858) Gettysburg Address (1863) Emancipiation
Lincolns notable speeches or piece of his work. They will be Proclamation (1863) and his Inaugural Addresses (1861 and 1865)
writings, and discuss how they assigned a worksheet that will
influenced the viewpoints of the follow each one of his pieces. After Students will analyze the Lincoln vs Douglas debates. They will be assigned a differing
nation. listing the time, significance, and side and the class will have actual debates.
what the speech is about, they will
They will also discuss their feelings towards President Lincoln in an effort to describe the
explain to the class a specific
overall feeling as a nation.
speech and the significance.

Unit Resources:
The Underground Railroad - Game
Ken Burns - Civil War
History Net- Civil War
Civil War Jeopardy
Civil War Trust Video Collection
Be a Soldier
Women in the Civil War
Black Soldiers in the Civil War
Abraham Lincoln's Life
About Robert E. Lee
Useful Websites:

http://www.historynet.com/causes-of-the-civil-war
https://www.civilwar.org/learn/videos