Students learn about the political and military leaders during the Civil War. Then, they learn about two recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Finally, they identify leadership characteristics in four of the men studied in this experience.
Students learn about the political and military leaders during the Civil War. Then, they learn about two recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Finally, they identify leadership characteristics in four of the men studied in this experience.
Students read an introduction explaining the roles of military and political leaders during the Civil War and are prompted to think about what makes someone a leader. They contribute to a word cloud by listing traits they believe good leaders possess.
Teacher MovesReview the lesson objective and, time permitting, facilitate a brief discussion about leadership traits, highlighting ideas such as motivation, clear vision, integrity, bravery, communication skills, and decisiveness.
Students read about Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis using Lincoln’s Leadership Traits and Jefferson Davis, then complete a graphic organizer noting at least three leadership qualities for each political leader. Next, they read short biographies of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee using Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, focusing on their Civil War roles, and fill in a second organizer with at least three significant facts about each general.
Teacher MovesDivide students into small groups for the next scenes. Monitor students as they read and complete the organizers, using their notes to identify understandings and misconceptions, and to guide follow-up discussion.
Students read narrative and citation excerpts describing the Civil War actions of William Carney and Philip Bazaar and discuss these stories in their small groups. As a group, they post a summary response to a collaborative wall explaining what purpose they think the Congressional Medal of Honor serves, with a designated note taker recording the group’s ideas.
Teacher MovesUse the historical background about the Medal of Honor’s original purpose to clarify student thinking as needed, and draw attention to how the award recognizes extraordinary bravery and promotes military effectiveness.
In small groups, students choose one of four leaders—Grant, Lee, Bazaar, or Carney—and discuss the leadership qualities that individual displayed. A group note taker posts a summary to a class wall that describes the chosen leader’s key accomplishments and uses those as evidence of leadership traits.
Teacher MovesReview group posts and select one or more interesting or exemplary summaries to share with the whole class, using them to prompt discussion about different forms of leadership during the Civil War.
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher MovesFacilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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