Becky Boswell, Carolyn Patterson

Teacher Applicants: Becky Boswell, Carolyn Patterson
Project Title: The Civil War Comes to Nebraska
School: Lefler Middle School, Pound Middle School
Grade: 8

Project Summary:
 Using primary source documents and cable programs, students from two middle schools thoroughly researched all aspects of the Civil War. Students then created realistic costumes, wrote monologues, painted murals and designed props to tell the story of battles, wounded soldiers, nurses, spies, engineers and other topics. Students presented their historical research in an evening presentation that dazzled and educated parents, grandparents and community members.

Learning Objective:
 The objectives were to increase student interest in and understand of the Civil War, recognize Nebraska’s connections to the war, use multiple intelligences to create an unforgettable evening program, increase family involvement in a school program and give students a chance to shine.

Use of Cable Programming and/or Technology:
 Cable programming and use of the Internet were critical components of The Civil War Comes to Nebraska. Students researched diaries and journals of Civil War era people on a variety of web sites, including the National Archives and the Library of Congress, which allowed them to view photographs, battle plans, maps and other vital documents necessary to learn about and understand their particular topic. The cable programs used in class enhanced discussion, gave students ideas for their research topics, increased their understanding of the war and were simply outstanding teaching tools. Students have a variety of learning styles  and the chance to show a 5-20 minute video clip to help explain a topic, introduce a new concept, or spark a debate is a fantastic teaching tool.

Effectiveness:
 Reading diaries and watching documentary footage allowed students to march without shoes, sleep on the ground without cover, and feel the loss of a loved one. They were then able to use the information learned to give a voice to the men, women, and children who lived during the time of the Civil War. Wit ha case of 200 comes an audience of four to five hundred. As teachers, we watched parents and community members listen intently to monologues and compliment students on their knowledge, as well as saw the “afterglow” that students experienced. Eighth graders were the experts on their Civil War topic, and they were proud to share their newfound expertise.

Benefits:
 Students and teachers saw firsthand that the Civil War was more than pages in a textbook. With a Saturday trip to the Nebraska State Museum, students became more aware of a valuable community resource and saw the connection between Nebraska’s history and the Civil War. The use of technology in this project increased students interest and provided teachers with a variety of ways to introduce new material. Cable programs and the Internet ensured the success of The Civil War Comes to Nebraska by providing high-interest, historically accurate facts and details. Students are often excited to see that a lesson includes a video because they think it means the get to “tune out”. There was no chance that happening while watching Civil War segments. Students were intrigued, engaged and acting as historians as they watched and learned.
 Students were also excited to work on a project that was not a “typical” school project. They wore costumes, painted murals that represented actual Civil War photographs, made props including cardboard rifles, bandages, and surgical instruments, built cannons, and drew accurate battle maps and then rubbed them in dirt to make them look old. They attempted to inflate a parachute to represent a hot air balloon; they made mistakes, got dirty, worked in groups, cooperated, and asked other students for help and advice when they needed it. It was our dream as teachers and it all happened with our project- The Civil War Comes to Nebraska.