Dover-Sherborn Middle School

Curriculum Road Maps

 

Course Title:                 U.S. History                             ______            Grade:             8         

 

Unit:                            Sectionalism and Civil War                

 

Month Presented:        April/May                            Unit Length (in weeks): 5         

 

Essential Question (s):

  • How did slavery divide the United States?
  • Was the Civil War inevitable?
  • Do “desperate times call for desperate measures?”

 

Learning Objectives:

 

1.      Identify and classify issues that contributed to tensions between the three different regions of the United States.

 

2.      Compare and contrast differing views on slavery.

 

3.      Identify the events that led up to the secession of the South from the United States.  

 

4.      Identify and classify the political, social and economic factors that led to secession and Civil War.

 

5.      Compare and contrast the military strengths and weaknesses of the Union and Confederacy. 

 

6.      Describe and evaluate actions of the U.S. government and leadership to preserve the Union during war time. 

 

7.      Give examples of the challenges and contributions of women and African Americans during the Civil War. 

 

Skills:

Primary Document analysis, Mapmaking and analysis, Presentation and speaking skills, Cooperative Group work, Organizing and framing written responses

 

Instructional Strategies and  Activities:

·        The Geography of Sectionalism: statehood, representation and slavery in the United States- math and mapping activity

·        Debate:      Political Solutions for Slavery:    moderate and conservative

·        Radical Solutions for Slavery:        John Brown in Bleeding KS

·        Primary Sources:                            Republican Party Platform

                                    Dred Scott Decision

                                    John Brown’s Letter

                                    John Brown’s Body (poem/song)

                                    Fugitive Slave Law

                                    Frederick Douglass Speech 1854

                                    Sullivan Ballou Letter

                                    Journal of Mary Chestnut

·        Video/Multimedia:

The American Experience:      John Brown’s Holy War

·        Across Five Aprils- Chapter segment, Quote and Reaction assignment

·        “Armchair General” Mapping and Strategy Activity

·        Taking Stock:        Military, Economic Resources of the North and South

·        Matthew Brady Photograph Classroom Exhibition

·        Civil War Battles Graphic Organizer

·        “Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures?”  Case studies of war time decisions (habeas corpus, draft riots, emancipation proclamation)

·        Time Magazine Article Reading and Reaction:      “Was Lincoln A Racist?”

·        Classroom Debate/Argumentative Essay:            “Was Lincoln A Racist?”

·        Civil War Historical Fiction Journal Assignment:

·        Massachusetts 54th regiment

·        Movie Review of Glory, James McPherson 

 

Materials Used:  Textbook, documentary:  The Civil War, John Brown’s Holy War, movie:  Glory, various primary and secondary sources

Assessment Strategies:  

Civil War “Press Conference”

Content and Reading quizzes

Test