Section I
Language Arts / Written Activities
Write a letter/ Keep a Journal
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1. After having done research and discovered through reading selected pieces related to the women of this section and needed background information on related Civil War history the children will be ready to use their imagination and creativity to write letters and draft journals relating experiences and feelings of this period in history from the perspective of the EuroAmerican woman. The children need to be aware of the emotions and points of view of both the Northern and Southern women. The students may pretend they are spies, or soldiers writing letters to family members or relating discoveries to the armies to help them defeat their enemies. They should include effects of the war on themselves and their daily lives. They need to include their feelings as well as vivid descriptions using their five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).
Books and Readings to Include: (see bibliography)
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A Separate Battle ,
by Ina Chang
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Civil War Heroines
,Bellerophon Books
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Daughters of The Cause:Women of the Civil War,
by Robert P. Broadwater
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Behind Rebel Lines.
by Reit
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Special Collections Library, Duke University On-Line Collection
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Library of Congress American Memory Project On-Line Website
Create an Autobiography
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2. Students research and read about a Euro-American woman living during the Civil War era. They will write an autobiography on the woman they read about based on the information that they have discovered. They are writing as if they are their researched woman and therefore should be encouraged to use their imagination to enhance their books by including things that they make up about themselves (such as family, feelings, effects on their personal lives).
The Children can create their own journals or books for publishing their writings and displaying in the showcase outside the room. Using brown construction paper with a scrolled design border and the titles of their works folded and cut to fit the paper used, then stapled or tied with yarn or ribbon will make authentic looking creations.
note: If children need direction for their journals have them write from the perspective of a woman soldier or spy example: You’ve witnessed a lot of death and destruction on this trip. How does this make you feel about war? Explain your feelings in your writings.
Social Studies /Cooperative Learning
Godey’s Lady’s Book—January, 1851 Issue
Objective of this activity is for the children to explore an authentic ladies magazine of the Civil War era to discover the personal lives of Euro-American women during this period. The children will work in small groups each given a task to complete which will feature one area of the book. Together the groups will share their specific discoveries and create a display for the showcase outside of the classroom.
The following will be the projects to be completed cooperatively:(each group to choose one)
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1. Look through the book and locate the set of plans for building and the drawing of the style cottage you might have wished to live in.. How is this house similar to yours? How is this house different? Using the materials provided build your cottage. Be sure you include all the rooms shown. Write a short description of each room and its purpose using the information you have gathered.
Materials provided:
Various size cardboard boxes
Pieces of fabric
Glue,tape,staples,clips etc.
Paint, markers etc.
Construction paper
Pieces of cardboard and foam core.
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2. Look through the book and locate the patterns for embroidering a pattern on a piece of clothing or quilting designs to create a quilt. Choose one of the patterns or designs that you would like to recreate. You may use paper and markers to make your quilt squares and then glue together on the foam core board provided or you may embroder your pattern on a piece of white muslin provided (drawing first the pattern on the material in pencil). You may duplicate this pattern using paper and markers if you do not choose to learn the art of embroidery. This finished art will be part of the display in the case outside of the room.
Materials Provided:
Pieces of muslin
Embroidery thread, and needles
Frame for stretching fabric
Markers and paper
Foam core Board
Various pieces of colored construction paper
Glue
