U.S. Civil War History: 10 Week Course: America's Struggle to Unite, 1861-1865
In this 10 week online social studies course, we will discuss the most important aspects of the US Civil War, from slavery to reconstruction.
Michael DiMinno, M.A.T.
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5.0
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What's included
10 live meetings
10 in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
includedGrading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner Level
Learn all about the US Civil War from someone who has been teaching it to this age group for 2 decades! There will be ten immersive sessions that will cover the lead-up to the conflict to the end of the war, Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of the war. The sessions will cover: Session # 1 -Intro to the Civil War Slavery John Brown The Underground Railroad Bleeding Kansas The Election of 1860 Secession Session # 2 - Weapons, Technology and Uniforms of the Civil War The rifled musket Minie bullet Civil War artillery and types of ammunition Cavalry during the Civil War Communication modes Uniforms of the Civil War...it might not be what you think! Session # 3 - Opening shots Lincoln vs Davis The North and South, in brief Advantages of the North Advantages of the South The Shelling of Fort Sumter The First Battle of Bull Run Session # 4 -The Battle of Antietam Creek (Sharpsburg) The bloodiest day in American history McClellan takes Command The qualities of Lee The Three phases of the battle Session # 5 - Fredericksburg and the Emancipation Proclamation Burnside takes over Marye's Heights Richard Rowland Kirkland Richmond saved due to Union bungling Lincoln frees the slaves, and the ramifications of this decision Session # 6 - The Homefront during the Civil War Economy in the North Farming in the North Cities in the North Economy in the South Slavery in the South Plantation life Farming in the South Cities in the South Session # 7 -The Battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg Taking control of the Mississippi Splitting the Confederacy in two The tide turns (kind of) at Gettysburg The 20th Maine at Little Round Top Pickett's Charge (and Pettigrew's, and Trimble's) What was Lee thinking? Session # 8 - African Americans during the Civil War Frederick Douglas Bureau of Colored Troops Service & Casualties Prejudice in the Military Segregated Units 54th Regiment Black Service Pay The Danger of Being Captured Session # 9 - The End of the War Final battles The Confederate surrender at Appomattox The death of a president Reconstruction Long term effects of the Civil War Session # 10 - Civil War Obscure Picnics at Bull Run? Mourning Glow in the dark wounds? Arlington's history Harriet Tubman's raid Elephants in the Union Army? The largest snowball fight in history I teach by using slides, original photographs, video clips, discussions and more. There will be question/answer periods and both group and individual opportunities to offer answers and opinions about the subject. Some prior knowledge of the US Civil War helpful, but not a must. I've taught this subject for many years and most students have no background knowledge. As the teacher, I will be dressed in a reproduction Civil War uniform for most sessions.
Learning Goals
Students will be able to analyze and explain the complex political, economic, social, and ideological factors that led to the outbreak of the American Civil War.Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of major battles, campaigns, and strategic decisions that shaped the course of the war.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Session # 1 -Intro to the Civil War
Slavery, John Brown, The Underground Railroad, Bleeding Kansas, The Election of 1860, Secession 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Session # 2 - Weapons, Technology and Uniforms of the Civil War
The rifled musket, Minie bullet, Civil War artillery and types of ammunition, Cavalry during the Civil War, Communication modes, Uniforms of the Civil War...it might not be what you think! 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Session # 3 - Opening shots
Lincoln vs Davis, The North and South, in brief, Advantages of the North, Advantages of the South, The Shelling of Fort Sumter, The First Battle of Bull Run 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Session # 4 -The Battle of Antietam Creek (Sharpsburg)
The bloodiest day in American history, McClellan takes Command, The qualities of Lee, The Three phases of the battle 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I have been teaching military history to elementary students since 2001 and parents have appreciated the approach I use given the age of the students. I try to keep our study away from the more age inappropriate topics, such as The Holocaust, harsh treatment of slaves, etc. It is not that these topics aren't important, it's just that the age range for these lessons (8-14) is a bit on the younger side, so I feel that they are better left to teachers of older grades. When I do get questions about the more disturbing aspects of the war, I might answer along the lines of, "these soldiers went into this country and did not treat the people there well," instead of giving specifics. Having said this, please be aware that these classes are about warfare and military history. One aspect of this is to talk about weapons from the corresponding era, and to discuss advancements in military technology. I don't handle any firearms personally, but we do discuss weapons and technology and I show pictures and videos when appropriate.
If your learner is sensitive to this kind of subject, and may get frightened or upset upon seeing a picture of a rifle, cannon, or bullet, then this may not be the class for them. This is a class about military history, and there is no way to avoid this, so please take this into account before signing up.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
There are many sources that I use for this course. Primary documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address will all be referenced in this course. There are also many books and websites that I use as well, such as YouTube, where I carefully vet age-appropriate videos for the learners. Some examples of books that I will use include:
The Battle Cry of Freedom by James MacPherson
The Civil War by Shelby Foote
The Civil War by Ken Burns, Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric Burns
Joined April, 2020
5.0
758reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Manhattanville College
Bachelor's Degree from State University of New York College at Fredonia
I have been a teacher since 2001 and for most of that time I have been teaching social studies at the elementary or middle school level. Coupled with that, my collection of military uniforms and my living history experience add greatly to my lessons.
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Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $250 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
60 min
Completed by 55 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-10 learners per class
