The Battle of Gettysburg

For: EDU 587 summer 2008 Dr. Debi PorterBy: Dennis R. Garver

The purpose of this middle school thematic unit is to utilize a cross curricular approach to incorporating reading and writing with critical thinking skills as applied to the American Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg. This unit will require that each discipline collect information, develop a program, and prepare a demonstration, that will contribute to a community/parent open house; to be coordinated with the school administration, and special interest groups within the community, that will be donating time and resources.

Calvary

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Students will research the battles; taking note of the people involved and the methods employed.

They will then generate a series of large Maps and write reports which will prepare them to orally present and explain their knowledge to the public.

Students will research data such as casualty figures, logistic materials reports, troops deployed, and prisoners taken etc.

Graphs and other forms of statistical representations will be developed in presentation format.

Students will then write reports utilizing their statistical information in preparation of presenting their findings to the public.

Students will research the weapons used at Gettysburg. They will investigate the chemical composition and nature of Gun Powder with close supervision.

They will then utilize community support to design and construct a working Stage Canon. This Gun will then be utilized by them in the stage production on the day of the Big Event. In addition they will produce presentation posters to show their research and prepare for public explanations by writing a report.

Students will research and learn the music which was heard at Gettysburg, in preparation of a recital to be done during the Big Event. A report will be written to prepare them for discussions with the public.

They will also memorize the Gettysburg Address of President Lincoln. An audition will be held to determine who will play Lincoln and his Wife, in a short skit, to be performed on stage during the Big Event.

This will be a Big Event which will not only be the climax of a month of work for the students, but will also be a Community/Parent involvement activity. A local group of Civil War Reinactors will be on hand; in costume with their Tents, Weapons, and Cannons.

The evening will start out with mingling and refreshments while our chores sings music from the period. A short skit will reproduce the Gettysburg Address complete with Stage Cannon fire. Finally our families will enjoy the viewing of the movie Gettysburg on our Big Screen Projector while they enjoy some pop-corn.

Each student will keep a journal which details any ideas, research, and work contributed to this unit. Each student is to keep a running log of their participation hours, to be initialed off by an instructor.

Each student will develop a portfolio which will show, or represent their contributions.

Each student will upon the completion of this unit demonstrate in written, or presentation format what they have learned from this unit.