Words From the War

Lesson 3

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

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

Learner Outcomes:

Students will:
    1. Learn basic word processing skills
    2. Learn e-mail procedures and netiquette
    3. Practice letter writing skills
    4. Learn actual details from the Civil War
    5. Practice finding specific sites on the Internet
    6. Develop different points of view
    7. Articulate difficulties experienced during war
Duration of Lesson: 2 class periods

Technology Tools/Courseware: Computers with Internet access and browser, Word processing program.

Teacher Notes:

Check for actual examples of Civil War letters in community or local genealogical society
Procedures:
  1. Visit Civil War sites and read sample letters written during the war.
  2. Discuss, in groups, what it would be like to live in this time.
  3. Discuss topics covered in the letters.
  4. Complete online tutorial on Word. (In and Out of the Classroom With Microsoft Word 97)
  5. Review letter writing techniques.
  6. Pair with members of another class and pick partners with whom they will exchange role play letters.
  7. Discuss e-mail procedures and netiquette. (E-Mail Tutorial , Element - Use Electronic Mail and Netiquette)
  8. Set up e-mail addresses for the "North" and the "South" on Yahoo.mail or Hotmail.
  9. Students will write their partner a letter in Word. The letter should reflect the viewpoint of the persona selected and should reflect knowledge gathered in research.
  10. Students will save their letter and send as an e-mail attachment to their partner.
Modifications:
  • Handouts on blue paper for visually impaired.
  • Cooperative pairing.
  • Aides for special needs students
    • Enrichment Activities:
  • Letters could be read aloud to share with classmates to enhance public speaking skills.
  • Students can select a letter from the Internet and explain why they chose that letter. What impact did it have historically and emotionally on their perception of the Civil War?
  • Choose Key-pals from another school rather than in school.
    • Evaluation/Assessment: Completion of on-line Word tutorial. Hard copies of e-mail letters.

    IGOs and Other Standards:  WV Department of Education

  • Technology: 6.158, 7.166, 7.167, 7.169, 8.144, 8.155
  • Study Skills: 6.143, 6.151, 7.149, 8.142
  • History: 6.385, 7.45, 8.46, 8.48
  • Language Arts: 6.52, 6.66, 6.93, 6.119, 6.120, 7.57, 7.60, 7.62, 7.64, 7.65, 8.49, 8.58, 8.63, 8.64
    • National Standards

    References:

    Authors: Bridgeport Middle School. Virginia Frank, Jan Frenzel, and Alice Lynn Zahradnik

    Date Created:  February 17, 1999

    Date Modified:  March 24, 1999
     

    Lesson 1
    Lesson 2
    Lesson 4
    Lesson 5
    Lesson 6