Civil War

We are at war in the 3rd grade!  Not literally, of course...we all love each other.  But we have been studying the conditions that led up to the Civil War.  Today we spent some time on a few activities to get us thinking.

  Students split up into groups of two.  One person in the group represented the Union, while the other person represented the Confederacy.  The scenario was this:  You are best friends and you have been sent to battle.  You are on opposing sides.  Each group was assigned a battle.  They were to research facts about their battle.  They had to write a letter to their friend explaining the battle from their perspective (North or South).  They had to discuss things they agreed with, things they didn't agree with, and fears they may have.  They also made a list of fascinating facts about their battle.

They did an amazing job.  I love the way this group thinks.  They come up with such great information and present it in such unique ways.  We learned about the Battle of Antietam, Shiloh, Fredericksburg, Fort Sumter, and Bull Run.

Caroline and Emma researching

Tatum and Vivian writing their letters

Katey and Karley hard at work!

Caleb decided to sketch a comic strip wuth his ideas about the battle.  Great job!

Asis listing his ideas

John Mark and Abram working on a comic strip.

Carson drawing a battle plan

Christian and Bailey working on the Battle of Shiloh