American History Teachers' Collaborative Lesson Plans: War at Home

War at Home: The Civilian Side

Alice Lee, 5^th Grade

Summer Fellowship, 2008

Abstract

One of the most pressing issues the President faces today is war. As America is in tangled in two wars, factors such as money, soldiers, homeland security, and foreign allies are top priority. But what are the ramifications of war for you and I, for our families? What becomes our priority?

In this unit, students will investigate primary resources during the Civil War that reveal various civilians’ perspectives on how war has affected their lives. Students will also investigate current civilians’ perspectives on war and its affect on their lives. Students will learn that regardless of which war, or your personal stance on war, war itself touches a human face. Even though the fight occurs on the battlefield, the effects meet us at home. Students will see and understand the civilian’s side to war.

Essential Questions/ Enduring Understanding:

1. How do wars affect the lives of civilians?

2. What supports do soldiers’ families need in time of war?

3. Students will learn about how war affects the everyday lives of civilians, especially the families of soldiers.

4. Students will learn about how America has improved in supporting soldiers and their families over the years.

Assessment

Students’ summative assessment will incorporate their new knowledge of the civilian side to warfare, especially those with family members who have gone to war. They will compare and contrast Civil War era and current supports the government provides for families with soldiers.

This comparison analysis can be presented through:

1. PowerPoint presentation

2. Movie video

3. Collage

4. PhotoStory

5. Poster board

Students will also keep a journal logging their thoughts, findings, and notes as a response to the essential questions. This journal will serve as a formative assessment for the teacher to gauge student understanding.

Setting the purpose

Lesson 1—War at Home

Analysis of local primary sources

Lesson 2—A Call for 20,000 Men!

Lesson 3—Letter from soldier wife 1

Lesson 4—Letter from soldier wife 2

Lesson 5—Evils of warfare

Ties to national primary sources

Lesson 6—Connection to the country

Lesson 7—Analyzing the past and present

Lesson 8—Improving supports for families of soldiers

Lesson 9—Summative project