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Thank God for MichiGanStories from the Civil War

online classroom activityCivil War Slang – Letter Home

Grade Level

2nd -5th

Michigan Education Standards Met (select)

• 2nd – R.WS.02.11, W.PR.02.06-07, W.GR.02.01, W.HW.02.01, W.AT.02.01, H2.0.3

• 3rd – R.WS.03.08, W.GN.03.01-05, W.GR.03.01, W.SP.03.01, W.HW.03.01, W.AT.03.01

• 4th – R.WS.04.07, W.PR.04.03-05, W.GR.04.01, W.SP.04.01, W.HW.04.01, W.AT.04.01

• 5th – R.WS.05.07, W.PR.05.03-05, W.GR.05.01, W.SP.05.01, W.HW.05.01, W.AT.05.01

activity Background

Though unknown by many, the Civil War era was a time in which many of our modern slang terms were coined. Phrases like “mind your beeswax,” “been through the mill,” “fit as a fiddle,” and “bread basket” are just a few that originated around this time. Understanding the meaning of such phrases enables us to better interpret primary sources from the Civil War era, which helps create a clearer picture of daily life during the war.

activity description

Understanding how Civil War slang was used in context is educational and fun. In this activity students will learn slang terms from the Civil War and then compose their own letter as a soldier writing home or as a person writing to a soldier. To begin, students will examine a vocabulary list and memorize some Civil War slang. If desired, a small quiz could be given over the vocabulary. Students will then read, or be read, a letter from the Civil War in order to comprehend the way in which Civil War era syntax functioned. Once the students comprehend the assignment, have them write a letter that incorporates a fixed number of slang terms while attempting to stay true to the syntax of Civil War era writing.

Students will review Civil War era slang, and apply it to their own letters home.

Procedure

• Print off the vocabulary list and quiz for the appropriate grade level; print off the desired number of Civil War era letters for reading (materials section)

• Have students review the vocabulary

• Distribute the appropriate vocabulary quiz or complete a review in class

• Have students read, or read to them, a letter from the Civil War era

• Once the students understand the style of Civil War writing, have them write a letter as a soldier writing home, or as a person writing to a soldier, which incorporates a fixed number of slang terms and attempts to stay true to the style of Civil War writing; allow time for the students to draft their letter

• After the students have finished writing, allow them to exchange their letters in small groups for the purpose of peer editing

• After revising their letters, have the students turn in the assignment

Materials

• Vocabulary List

• Vocabulary Quiz

• Rebecca Richmond Letters

Vocabulary List 2nd -5th

1.) Been through the mill - had a bad day

2.) Blow hard - big-shot or braggart

3.) Bluff - cheater

4.) Bread basket - stomach

5.) Chin music - conversation

6.) Diggings - camp

7.) Duds - clothing

8.) Fit as a fiddle - feeling healthy

9.) Fresh fish - new recruit

10.) Greenbacks - money

11.) Hoof it - to march on foot

12.) Housewife - sewing kit for soldiers

13.) Parley - meeting or conference

14.) Skedaddle - to run away

15.) Worm castle - hardtack (bread soldiers ate)

Vocabulary Quiz

1.) Been through the mill _________________________________________________________

2.) Blow hard __________________________________________________________________

3.) Bread basket ________________________________________________________________

4.) Fit as a fiddle ________________________________________________________________

5.) Fresh fish ___________________________________________________________________

6.) Worm castle _________________________________________________________________

7.) Parley ______________________________________________________________________

8.) Skedaddle ___________________________________________________________________

9.) Duds _______________________________________________________________________

10.) Diggings ____________________________________________________________________

Pages from rebecca richmond’s diary.

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