Inquiry Civil War Lesson Plans: High School | American Battlefield Trust
High School
Civil War

Inquiry Civil War Lesson Plans: High School

You are here

Home › Learn › For Educators › Civil War Inquiry Curriculum › High School
SHARE THIS
 

Teacher Resources

The following inquiry lesson plans have been created by educators, leading historians, and the American Battlefield Trust Education Department for classroom use in high school grades ten through twelve.

The High School Inquiry Civil War Curriculum is a set of eight standards-based lesson plans. Below are the inquiry curriculum lessons along with a selection of optional lessons, all of which fit within the Common Core and National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards for High School students. 

Sections of the Inquiry Curriculum:

Pre-1860: Disunion

Students will be able to identify the causes of the American Civil War.

Life at War

Students will be able to describe the day-to-day life of a Civil War soldier in the North and the South.

Homefront

Students will be able to discuss the importance of the contributions that members of society made on the home front to the respective war efforts. 

Antietam and Emancipation

Students will be able to describe the importance of the Battle of Antietam and the Emancipation Proclamation, and their impacts on American society in the 1860s.

Turning Point1863

Students will be able to discuss the pivotal events which occurred in 1863.

Election of 1864

Students will be able to discuss the Northern election of 1864 and its impact on the Civil War.

Surrender

Students will be able to discuss the Confederate surrender at Appomattox and the conclusion of the Civil War.

Reconstruction

Students will be able to discuss the effects of the Civil War, and what happens after the Civil War in the Reconstruction Era.

Optional Lesson Plans

Additional Resources

More Classroom Resources

Civil War 1864: A Virtual Reality Experience
Experience Civil War warfare, as never before, with the American Battlefield Trust’s new virtual reality series. This immersive storytelling approach will put you back in time as you navigate in 360 degrees how it may have looked, felt and sounded to be soldier.
The Civil War Animated Map
See the entire Civil War unfold, from Fort Sumter...
The Field Trip Fund
The American Battlefield Trust's Field Trip Fund helps teachers plan and pay for Civil War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 field trips.
A Field Trip with Battle Apps
Students from Jim Percoco and Brad Swain's Applied History classes at West Springfield High School take a field trip to the Gettysburg Battlefield that includes the use of our Gettysburg Battle App at Little Round Top and Devil's Den.
The Entire Civil War Animated Map Landscape
Civil War
Animated Map
The Civil War Animated Map
Rev War Animated Map Square
The Revolutionary War Animated Map Landscape and Square
Rev War
Animated Map
The Revolutionary War Animated Map
Civil War 1864 Virtual Reality Video Series
Civil War 1864 Virtual Reality Video Series
Video
Civil War 1864: A Virtual Reality Experience, Full Version
Default Learn Cannon 1
Civil War
Lesson Plan
Gettysburg 360: Natural and Man-made Features High School Lesson Plan
white divider
53,000
ACRES SAVED

The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 53,000 acres in 24 states!

SEE THE LAND WE'VE SAVED
American Battlefield Trust Icon

Shop and Preserve 

Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Every purchase supports the mission.

BROWSE THE STORE

Pie Chart of Financial Allocations

Give with Confidence!

The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education.

OUR FINANCIALS