Social Studies — Grade 8

Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier

Students read the account of a private from Charlotte who served in the Civil War and grew tired of only hearing about the war from the perspectives of officers. After reading his experiences as a “man behind the gun” students will write their own point-of-view piece. They also have the opportunity to read other diary accounts from the war available through Documenting the American South.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Meghan Mcglinn.

Plan for a panel discussion regarding the validity of the Lincoln Administration

Many of the events surrounding the American Civil War era have become national myths rather than accurate historical facts. This paradigm can be rationalized as a need for national healing. This lesson encourages students to investigate all sides of the issues within the context of the Civil War era. This will contribute to an understanding of the actual events that were catalysts for Lincoln's executive decisions. Students will become “experts” on the Lincoln administration and accept the responsibility of sharing their expertise with their classmates through oral communication in a panel discussion. They will also be responsible for turning in the written work produced as a result of their research, as well as developing a handout and perhaps a visual aid, as they see fit.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Jamie Hulse.

W.A.R. (Wars Are Real)

This lesson plan allows students to research various American wars and conflicts that have occurred during the history of our country. It is designed as an end of the year project to cover a lot of our history in a short amount of time.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Jane Landreth.

Lesson plans on the web

Civil War Music

In this lesson, one of a multi-part unit from ARTSEDGE, students use the Internet as a resource to compare and contrast Civil War songs of the North and the South. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 8 Music Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

Provider: The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

North Carolina and the Civil War

Meet some of your fellow citizens from the past who experienced and endured the American Civil War through stories, artifacts and images of North Carolinians who lived, served, and sacrificed all during the conflict. (Learn more)

Format: image set,information,primary source,secondary source (grade 4–12 Social Studies)

Provider: North Carolina Museum of History