Scouting for Civil War Sites

Lesson 1

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Grade Level(s): 6, 7, & 8

Subject(s): Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology and Research Skills

Learner Outcomes:

The student will:
 

1. Select various Internet search engines or directories to access information.

2. Use the Internet to locate information on selected Civil War topics.

3. Gain practice in using the search process.

4. Explore and evaluate Civil War web sites.

5. Select a Civil War era character upon whom to focus all lessons in this unit.
 

Technology Tools/Courseware: Computers with Internet access and browser

Procedures:

1. Introduction of the Civil War Unit to the class (es) An Outline of American History: Sectional Conflict or  The Brief History of the War for Southern Independence
2. Instruction on accessing web browser on workstations (Example: Netscape or Explorer)
1. From toolbar menu, students will select help, then help contents.
2. Students then click on "Browsing the web"
1. Review the tutorials:
2. Viewing a page
3. Moving to another page
4. Retracing your steps
5. Retracing your steps in detail: the history list
6. Viewing a page's information
7. Viewing a page's source code
8. Searching within a page
3. Introduction of search methods such as keyword searches, Boolean searches, and search operators (Exploring the Difference Between Search Engines and Directories) and (Successful Web Search Strategies)
4. Review commonly used search engines, directory search engines, and multi-engine searches
• (See Resource list)
• Compare and contrast these sites as to ease of use and results of searches.
5. Have group discussion on evaluating the authenticity of selected Civil War sites. (Critical Evaluation Survey: Middle School Level)
6. Conduct random searches on various Civil War topics. These topics could include military personnel, civilians, battle sites, economic conditions, slavery issues, correspondence, and pictures.
7. Students should make a log of sites visited and URL’s located.
8. Students will decide on which Civil War persona they will assume for this unit. Student should prepare a brief oral narrative on reasons for their choice.

• Handouts on blue paper for visually impaired.
• Aides for assisting students with special needs.
• Cooperative pairing of students.
• Students may refer to online tutorial "How to Search the World Wide Web: A tutorial for beginners and non experts"

•     Student log of URL’s.
•     Web Site evaluations
•     Student oral narrative

Technology: 6.160, 7.169, 7.68, 8.60, 8.70

Study Skills: 8.142, 8.144

History: 8.46, 8.48

References and Resources:

Yahoo
Alta Vista
WebCrawler
Ask Jeeves
DogPile
HotBot
Snap
Excite
Metacrawler
"How to Search the World Wide Web: A tutorial for beginners and non experts"
WV State Department of Education
An Outline of American History: Sectional Conflict
The Brief History of the War for Southern Independence
Exploring the Difference Between Search Engines and Directories
Successful Web Search Strategies
Critical Evaluation Survey: Middle School Level

Date Created:  February 17, 1999

Date Modified:  Nov. 1, 1999
 
 

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6