American Civil War for Teachers

Lesson Idea (Mr. Donn): Problem Solving, Discussion or Debate (Middle School, 8th-grade): Up to a certain point, the Civil War could have been avoided. After that point, war was predictable. Determine where that point might have been and why.

These are incredible lesson plans from the Library of Congress, with photos and instructions for teachers and students.

• American Civil War Photographs, What do you see? - 3 days, by the time your kids finish this lesson plan, they will be involved in this time period
• American Civil War Photographs - sort from many online photographs, and pick one or more to write a newspaper article based on what you see and guess
• Photojournalism, A record of war - analyze how and why the American Civil War was photographed
• The American Civil War Through a Child's Eye - Using Readers Theatre approach, Paul Fleischman's Bull Run, and photos and primary resources

Core Knowledge Lesson Plans about the American Civil War

• Civil War, 7 lessons, designed for grade 2 but great ideas for grades 2-6, free download, Core Knowledge
• Civil War Unit, designed for grade 5 but can be adjusted, free download, Core Knowledge

More Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities by teachers, free to use in your classroom:

American Civil War Project Ideas

Photojournalism, A record of war - analyze how and why the American Civil War was photographed

For Kids

Special Section: The American Civil War for Kids - Causes, Battles, People, Daily Life, Underground Railroad, Slavery in America, and Reconstruction

Explore American History

For Kids and Teachers

Creating a New Nation

• New World Explorers
• Native Americans in Olden Times
• The 13 Colonies
• Road to Revolution
• The American Revolution

Creating a New Government

• Declaration of Independence
• 1st and 2nd Continential Congress
• Articles of Confederation
• The Constitution
• 3 Branches - Executive, Legislative, Judicial
• Checks and Balances
• Bill of Rights
• Constitutional Amendments

Western Expansion

• Jefferson and theNew Republic
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• The Oregon Trail
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• Pioneer Life & Frontier Life
• Trail of Tears
• The Alamo 1836, Texas Revolution
• Mexican - American War 1846-1848
• Gold Rush

Brink of the Storm and the Civil War

• Events Leading up to the American Civil War
• The Industrial Revolution
• American Civil War - 1861-1865
• People of the Civil War - Lincoln, Davis, Grant, Lee, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Dred Scott and more
• 13th Amendment ending slavery forever
• Reconstruction, Carpetbaggers & Scalawags
• 14th & 15th Amendments