Develop Vocabulary
English, Social Studies, U.S. History
The Word Study found in this curriculum guide focuses on the etymology of “combat.” Students will understand the relation of "combat," "battalion" and "battery." Since reference is made to women who disguised themselves as men in order to engage in combat, “Combat Revealed” may be paired with “Women Disguised — in Dress and Combat.”
Terms found in Joel Achenbach’s “Gettysburg” are compiled in In the Know. Terms that students cannot determine from context should be defined.
Read Maps to Follow War's Progress
Geography, U.S. History
As the war continues into 1863, the North outnumbers the South on the battlefield. Campaigns and offensives are held to gain victory over the Confederacy before the terms of service for more than 100,000 expire in the summer. Washington Post cartographer Gene Thorp created a timeline for the period March-September 15, 1863. Eleven of the maps have been excerpted in "Turning Point | Mapping March-September 15, 1863."
These maps, presented in chronological order, reflect troop movement, military activity in the southern front, the formation of West Virginia and the Battle of Gettysburg. A larger map of the Battle of Gettysburg is also found in “Gettysburg | July 1-3, 1863.” Read the text that accompanies each map. A summary of the action, individuals who were involved and significance of the military action is given.
A map is a graphic representation of earth’s surface. The area covered and detail may vary considerably depending on the purpose of the cartographer and need of the reader. Some of the discussion questions regarding reading these 11 maps include:
• Where is the legend of each map found?
• How are rivers, mountains (elevation), railroads and state borders represented?
• How can you distinguish Union from Confederate troops? Their relative numbers? Their movement?
• What symbol indicates place of battle or combat?
• What is the number of casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg? In this time period, what other military action resulted in the most Northern casualties? Southern casualties?
• Study "Seceding from secessionists." How does this map differ from the others? What can students tell about the borders of the newly formed state of West Virginia?
These maps may be supplemented with The Washington Post’s online interactive map, “Battles and Casualties of the Civil War." Review previous Civil War 150 curriculum guides for additional map activities.
Research Your Family Tree
Character Education, English, Family Life, U.S. History
Ask students if they know the names of their grandparents and great grandparents. What other kinds of information do they know about them? Where and when they were born? Careers and education, children and siblings, honors and interests? Who gave them this information?
Washington Post reporter Neely Tucker writes about “The Confederate soldier in the family tree.” Give students a copy of the article to read.
Give students “Who Is in the Family Tree?” Ten close reading questions are provided for use with Tucker's article. These will serve as guides to locating and incorporating information from different sources. Students are to select one of their ancestors to research. Teachers may wish to add requirements to the basic ones given in this reproducible.
Before students begin their research, teachers may wish to use the PowerPoint tutorial prepared by the National Archives, “Beginning Your Genealogical Research at the National Archives and Records Administration.” Be sure to cover how to use military records, census records, and other documents.