Turning Points of the Civil War
Teacher:
Thomas J. Angelo
Lesson Title:
Turning Points of the Civil War
Grade Level:
8th Grade US History
Lesson Time Length:
3-4 days
Big Idea:
Students identify the four turning points of the Civil War and explain their
significance.
Lesson Abstract:
This lesson is designed to give students a chance to review the four
turning points of the Civil War. They also have the ability to explain the
significance of these events in their own words. Students will use a variety of
primary source documents in their research. They will also be using
technology to present their findings.
Lesson Background and Context:
After discussing the four turning points of the Civil War together via
teacher-based lecture, I find it is helpful for the students to do research on
their own into the Four Turning Points of the Civil War: Antietam, Gettysburg,
the Emancipation Proclamation, and Sherman’s March to the Sea.
I describe these four events as “tent poles” to the Civil War, a conflict that
would define America for generations.
A Century of Progress Lesson Plan Template 2011
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Standards Alignment:
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Describes the turning points of the Civil War (e.g., Antietam, Gettysburg,
Emancipation Proclamation, and Sherman’s March to the Sea).
Examines a variety of different types of primary sources in United States
history and analyzes them in terms of credibility, purpose, and point of
view (e.g., census records, diaries, photographs, letters, and government
documents).
Uses at least three primary sources to interpret a person or event from
United States history to develop a historical narrative.
Compares contrasting descriptions of the same event in United States
history to understand how people differ in their interpretations of
historical events.
Objectives (what students will know and be able to do):
Know:
 Four turning points of Civil War in chronological order
 Detailed summaries of the significance of Antietam, Gettysburg,
Emancipation Proclamation, and Sherman’s March to the Sea
Do:
 Analyze primary source documents
 Create timeline
 Create PowerPoint
Teaching Materials:
 Copy of Emancipation Proclamation with transcript. May be found at:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_pro
clamation/
 Access to “Civil War Primary Sources” website, found at:
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/primarysources/
 Sheets of art paper (at least 2’ x 4’) for timeline
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Vocabulary (terms and concepts will students learn):
Casualties
George McClellan
Emancipate
William T. Sherman
Total war
Ratification
Robert E. Lee
Lesson Implementation and Procedures:
1. Teacher opens lesson with a review of the four turning points, which have
been introduced in previous lesson through lecture. Students are reminded
that these moments were called turning points because they drastically
changed the direction of the war.
2.
Divide students into groups of four.
Within the group of four, students will assign themselves jobs.
-Director, who has the final say on decision-making and will speak during
the final presentation
-Tech Expert, who is responsible for supervising and assembling the
PowerPoint
-Artist, who will assemble the timeline and get supplies when needed
-Scribe, who will do any written handwriting
3.
The students are responsible for assembling a timeline which organizes
the impact of the four turning points. Each turning point should be on the
timeline with the following information:
 Name and Date of Event
 A picture of event, either drawn or found at Primary Source website (listed
above)
 A description of event along with its significance…Why was it a turning
point? (Explain to students that this is where a large portion of their
grade will be determined. It should be treated as an essay and explained
thoroughly.)
 A PowerPoint that has 1-2 slides for each of the turning points. This
PowerPoint will contain a summary of their essay, as well as any
interesting quotes/information
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Along with the timeline poster and PowerPoint, have each group prepare four
multiple choice test questions…One question about each turning point…that
they answer during their presentation.
 Websites:
Copy of Emancipation Proclamation with transcript. May be found at:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_pro
clamation/
 Access to “Civil War Primary Sources” website, found at:
http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/primarysources/
4.
After students have completed the assignment, present the timelines and
PowerPoints together. The leader will go through the four turning points on the
timeline and read the information the group found. The rest of the class is
expected to take notes during the presentation.
5. Closure: After all groups are finished, the teacher should give a short
quiz (10-15 questions) about the turning points. These questions should be
taken from the multiple choice questions that the students wrote. The teacher
will need to choose which questions are appropriate or “tweak” the questions
as needed prior to administering this quiz.
Technology Integration:
Civil War web sites
MS PowerPoint
MS Word for essays or quiz questions
Evaluation and Assessment (what evidence will students provide to prove they
have learned what you want them to learn?):
Students will be able to identify and sequence the turning points of the Civil
War
Students will explain the significance of these events
Students will organize the information into a detailed timeline with
accompanying presentation
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Extension and Enrichment:
Expand the timeline to include more events
Research the lives of participants of the events
Write a short story from the perspective of someone who has been a part of one
of these events
Resources:
James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. New York:
Oxford University Press, 1988.
Ward, Geoffrey C. The Civil War: An Illustrated History. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf, 1992. Print.
Allmendinger, Blake, 1992.
Be sure to attach student handouts, lecture notes, presentations and
other documents associated with the lesson.
I have attached a PowerPoint of notes that I use during our Civil War lessons
which contains information on the four Turning Points, but
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