Creator: Dickinson College | visit site
Grade Range: 8 - 11
With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War beginning in 2011, this site provides both a research engine and a Civil War "Today in History" lesson. Dickinson College, located just north of Gettysburg in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, serves as a case study for how the Civil War divided families, friends, and institutions. Alma Mater of President James Buchanan and Chief Justice Roger Tanney, author of the Dred Scott decision, Dickinson’s staff, students and alumni were of divided loyalties. This site offers documents, biographies and images from the College’s archives and can make the events and stories more personal.
In the Classroom
It goes without saying that this is a rich source of research, primary documents, and personal information about those on both sides of the Civil War, from those whose names would otherwise be lost to history to those whose names are familiar to us. Use selections from the digital classroom, which includes video lectures, a digital library, and virtual field trips, to extend your lessons on the Civil War. Consider dividing students into groups to research characters from both sides of the conflict. Challenge students to create a newspaper article, title of article, date, and body of article using the site <a href="/single.cfm?id=10053">Newspaper Clipping Generator</a>, to explain who or what they learned about while researching. rn<br><br>rnTrying using the daily "today in Civil War history" items as a lesson icebreaker. This is an exceptionally deep resource which you can visit over and over for further inspiration. Share the video lectures on your interactive whiteboard or projector.
At Home
Encourage your student interested in the Civil War to explore this powerful site. A great resource to support assignments on the Civil War or to satisfy your student’s love for learning.