If The Dead Could Talk

Civil War Project

Sophomore English

TASK:

Your task is to wear the boots of an American citizen between 1861 and 1865. Today they are found in cemeteries, in books, on film and on the World Wide Web. You will choose a role from the list below and visit related Web sites to learn details of their lives. You will write a seven-day first person diary from the frame of reference of the role you choose. Roles you may choose from:

• African American Slave
• Army Chaplain
• Army Doctor
• Army Nurse
• Confederate General
• Confederate Infantry Soldier
• Prisoner of War
• Union General
• Union Infantry Soldier
• Woman of the Home front
• War correspondent/photographer

Process:

Select your role. No more than three people in the class may share the same role. Visit Web resources listed below to find information about your character. Research the role you have chosen and answer the following questions:

• What is your name? When and where were you born? Who are your parents, siblings, who is your spouse, do you have any children?
• What city and state are you from? Are you for the North or South? Why do you believe the North or South is justified in this fight?
• What work are you doing in the Civil War? What tools do you use? Why do you think this work is important?
• What beliefs form your support of your side of the war?
• Conclusion. Give a final analysis of your person, why you chose him/her, what qualities you admire most about this person, and what you learned from this project.
• Find photographs that illustrate the clothing, weapons, and housing of the times.

Resources: 

Choose sources in the blue sidebar.  Do not stop with just one, look at three or more.  Remember you must take notes and create source cards for your information and you must have a works consulted page (see Ms. Finlay if you need help with Noodle Tools).

Timeline:

Database Quicklinks, Description and Information

pages maintained by Barbara Finlay, Library Media Specialist