If you’ve been looking for ways to use Civil War Era primary sources with your students, I have three engaging ideas for you!
When I teach the Civil War in my 5th grade social studies classroom, I integrate primary sources as much as possible.
For example, the Battle of Gettysburg becomes more personal and relatable to students when they see actual photographs of the battlefield, soldiers, and cemeteries.
In all honesty, Civil War photographs are an amazing resource to use with students. These images allow students a view into life during this critical era.
Being able to gaze into the eyes of a child soldier or a family who lived during the Civil War is truly powerful.
However, I have to caution you to be careful when choosing photographs. There are some graphic images from the Civil War, so choose wisely and always preview images before sharing them with your students.
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Gallery Walk
Getting students out of their seats is always a good thing, right?!?
I’ve used gallery walks with all of my units but our yearly Civil War Gallery Walk Activity always comes out as my students’ favorite.
Unlike the American Revolution, we have real photographs of people, events, and objects from the Civil War Era.
Photographs bring the study of this era to life in a meaningful way.
Gallery Walks are super easy to set up and implement!
First, choose the images you will use, place students into groups, and distribute the images around the classroom.
You’ll need at least 5 images but no more than 10.
Choose images that are varied. Your students will become bored looking at the same thing over and over. You will want your students to examine a wide range of images.
I find that forming groups of three students each and allowing them to cycle through the images is ideal. Each group should have 2-4 minutes with each photograph to allow them to look closely, discuss, and write their thoughts.
Second, provide a response sheet to allow students to jot down their impressions and ideas about each image.
I do not discuss the images with students ahead of time. Instead, I allow them to cycle through the images, form an impression, and write down their thoughts about each image.
Once students have completed the gallery walk, I explain each image and its significance.
Again, be thoughtful in choosing the images you will use with students during the gallery walk.
Look at the details in each image and make sure there are no surprises before placing them in front of students.
Predict & Discuss Civil War Primary Sources
When you come across a fascinating Civil War primary source image or text that you want to share with your students, I recommend following these steps:
First, display the primary source image on your technology board.
Second, ask pairs of classmates to discuss what they see and the impressions they form when they examine the primary source.
Third, as the teacher, explain what you think about the primary source and what thoughts are going through your head when you view the primary source.
Finally, help students to synthesize everything they’ve learned about the primary source into a one-paragraph written response. Your students will take ownership of their writing when they are given the opportunity to make predictions and later refine those predictions.
When students make predictions about a primary source and later discover they were wrong and must adjust their thinking, they learn so much more than simply having information presented to them.
Ask Students to Present Civil War Primary Sources
One way to grab your students’ interest during social studies class is to ask them to choose a primary source image, learn more about it, and present it to others.
Allowing students to choose the primary source images that appeal to them helps them to feel more invested in their learning.
Because there are graphic Civil War primary source images that students could possibly encounter, I recommend that you choose a variety of images for your students and allow them to pick from your collection. This ensures that images are safe and appropriate.
Once students have chosen their images, ask them to research background information on the featured, person, event, or situation.
Then, ask students to present their primary source images to a group of peers and speak for a moment about what they learned.
Suggested sites for obtaining Civil War primary source images:
Civil War Photographs from the National Archives
Civil War Photograph Collections from the Library of Congress
Print ‘n Go Civil War Unit & Gallery Activity
Are you looking for upper elementary social studies/writing resources and ideas? I’d love for you to join my weekly VIP email club with no spam, just helpful tips, ideas, and resources!
