Soldiers and the Military Experience - High School Lesson Plan

Introduction:

A vital experience for students is to be able to analyze and interpret primary sources. Letters, telegrams, and images provide students an understanding of personal stories and concerns that Mississippi citizens were affected during the Civil War.

Procedure

1. Students will identify vocabulary they are unfamiliar with and decode using vocabulary strategies and discuss with a partner.
2.  A biography of the Mississippi Governors that served during this time is included for background information.
3. Students will analyze 10 primary documents (student choice) using a primary source analysis worksheet provided by the National Archives.
4.  Finally students will take the information and rewrite the document(s) as an email.  Instructors will assist students with steps to write email. The teacher will model the activity so that students can understand the assignment.
5. Students will use the flipgrid app to read their emails to the whole group. 
6. Using comments answer the following questions in paragraph form.
   1. What were the similarities and differences between the documents?
   2. What did you learn about the role of the governor during the war?
   3. Which of the issues would be the most important to address? Rank them in importance.
   4. Do you think that the request was fulfilled by the governor? (Use the governor bio information to help) Why or why not?

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