Civil War in Henry County - an integrated instructional unit

An Integrated Unit from Henry County Public Schools

Target Grade Level:	High School

Target Concept:	Gathering information and drawing conclusions

Target Content Strand(s):
SOCIAL STUDIES	Cultural and natural environment

LANGUAGE ARTS	Communications (Speaking/Listening);research

Suggested Time Line:	4 - 6 weeks

Developed By:	Anita Stroup and Valarie Stansell

Year Developed:	1997

Introduction & Overview

The purpose of this unit is to trace General William T. Sherman's march through Henry County and to determine from gathered information why Henry County was spared. This unit is designed as an integrated project with the Social Studies and Language Arts disciplines.

Benchmarks & Performance Standards

12.77	Recognize the differences among slang, colloquial, and formal oral expressions.
	A. Uses the appropriate words that particular situations require.

12.78	Use standard English grammar in speaking.
	A. Participate in formal and informal classroom discussions using standard English.
	B. Prepare debates and impromptu speeches such as nformative, persuasive, process and narrative using standard English.
	C. Perform interpretive reading.
	D. Present oral critiques of material read.

12.84	Apply research to personal and societal environments.
	A. Produce a document that reflects personal and societal issues.

12.10	Evaluate information from maps and graphs.
	A. Draw conclusions from a variety of maps and graphs.

Content Outline

A research unit in which students from both Language Arts and Social Studies classes research a single topic, the Civil War in Henry County. The Social Studies teacher will supply background historical data, and the Language Arts teacher will work on methods of research. After groups are formed, the work on the projects will be done outside of class, using the county as the primary source. The project will culminate in the form of a presentation.

Content Background

Students must have a knowledge of the Civil War in general and the Civil War in Georgia. They must also know how to do research and to draw conclusion from the information gathered.

Student Preparation

Skills required:

Research and documentation
Map reading
Communication
Video production
Simulation
Editorial writing

Instructional Activities

Groups will be formed with students from both the history and the English classes. Each group will plan a unit project:

1. Select a presentation format from these choices:

Topographical map showing Sherman's route through the county

Reproduction of a newspaper from 1863

Video presentation of re-enactment of a Union Civil War camp; dramatization of interviews; houses in the community that were standing during the Civil War

Civil War artifacts (authentic or created)

Maps and charts showing Sherman's march through the county

2. Select a Civil War related topic to be researched

3. Assign individual responsibilities to group members

4. Set time line for completion of project

5. Prepare research for presentation

Process Strands

CULTURAL and NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
During the Civil War the Union Army camped in Henry County in the McDonough area. There are historical markers; monuments, and grave stones that are readily available for student research.

COMMUNICATIONS
Students will communicate in standard English in both the spoken and written word as they present their projects.