Students read the first verse of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” and summarize the main idea of the song. Then they explore an interactivity to learn about the key events and people of the Civil War. Next they analyze the Emancipation Proclamation. Finally, they write a short report on a topic related to Abraham Lincoln’s life and accomplishments.
Students read background text about rising tensions between slave and free states and Abraham Lincoln’s election, then review the lesson objectives. They read the first verse of the Civil War–era song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again” (and may listen to an early recording) and post a brief summary of the song’s main idea to a class wall.
Teacher MovesIntroduce the experience, highlight key vocabulary (withdraw, secede, emancipation, proclamation), and connect Lincoln’s election to the start of the Civil War. Clarify that the song reflects the emotions of people on the home front who miss loved ones fighting in the war. Invite students with family members who have served overseas to share their experiences, then ensure all students have posted before unlocking the next scene.
Students read an overview of secession and the formation of the Confederate States of America, then explore The American Civil War to learn about how the nation divided, the role of slavery, what started the war, the two armies, and how the war ended. They complete a map activity marking Union, Confederate, and border states, contribute to a word cloud naming causes of the Civil War, and answer fill-in-the-blank questions about basic facts such as the length of the war, the names of each side, and the Confederate commander.
Teacher MovesGuide students’ exploration of the Civil War website, encouraging them to use the internal links and, if desired, work in pairs within a set time limit. Support students as they complete the map and prompt them to identify key causes of the war, emphasizing slavery, sectionalism, and conflict over states’ rights (and related terms such as tariff and abolition). Review and summarize the basic factual information students provide before moving on.
Students examine an image of Abraham Lincoln and read about his role as an anti-slavery president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation. They use a dictionary to define the terms “emancipation” and “proclamation” in a table, then post a response explaining what they think the Emancipation Proclamation said, using prior learning as evidence. Next, they watch a video and read a summary about the Emancipation Proclamation to deepen their understanding of its content and significance.
Teacher MovesProvide or confirm student-friendly definitions of “emancipation” and “proclamation,” then facilitate discussion of students’ predictions about the Emancipation Proclamation, highlighting that Lincoln was freeing enslaved people without requiring detailed legal explanations. After students view and read about the document, invite a volunteer to summarize its importance, emphasizing its symbolic role in ending slavery and connecting it to the later Thirteenth Amendment.
Students read a brief introduction about Abraham Lincoln’s historical importance and select a research topic related to his life or presidency. Using online resources such as Abraham Lincoln 1, Abraham Lincoln 2, or Abraham Lincoln Facts for Kids, or print sources, they research their chosen topic and write an informational text. They then post their completed text or a link to it on a shared class wall.
Teacher MovesDecide whether to assign or allow students to choose topics (for example, Lincoln’s childhood, political career, role in the Civil War, family, assassination, or major accomplishments). Set expectations for research time, length, and quality of the informational text, and direct students to the provided resources as needed. After students post their work, optionally have them present their texts orally or read and respond to classmates’ pieces to extend learning.
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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