The "Best Civil War Lesson Plan" Contest

Here is a quick post of a contest for everyone to enter:

The "Best Civil War Lesson Plan" Contest
Sponsored by The History Channel and the Civil War Preservation Trust

Do you have a terrific Civil War lesson plan to share - one that is challenging and relevant to today's students? Then enter the Best Civil War Lesson Plan contest for a chance to win money and recognition!

Prizes: First Place - $1,000; Second Place - $750; Third Place - $500. Prizes are generously donated by The History Channel.
Who May Enter: K-12 teachers nationwide - in public, private, and home schools
Deadline: All submissions must be received by December 1, 2007.
Guidelines: All lesson plans must include the following elements in order to be considered:

• The teacher's complete contact information - including the name of the teacher's school with complete mailing address, complete home address, and preferred phone number and/or email address.
• A brief description of the goals of the lesson and comcepts to be taught.
• A list of the materials to be used, as well as copies of teacher-created handouts.
• A brief description of the time involved.
• An explanation of the methods to be used.
• A list of correlating state standards for social studies or history in the teacher's home state, or the appropriate NCSS standards (www.ncss.org).
• Use of at least one primary source - this could be an historic photograph, document, letter, diary, or artifact.
• Inclusion of elements that are engaging and thought provoking for students with a variety of learning styles.

If possible, teachers are encouraged to introduce the concept of battlefield preservation within their lesson. However, lack of this component will not cause an entry to be disqualified. Teachers are also encouraged, but not required, to submit a method of evaluation with their lesson plan.

Submissions become the property of the Civil War Preservation Trust and The History Channel, and may be reprinted, posted on their respective web sites, or shared via other forms of media.

Winning teachers will be notified January 15, 2008.

Send your lesson plan to:

Education Department
Civil War Preservation Trust
11 Public Square, Suite 200
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Confederate Memorial Museum in Oklahoma

Wesley Fryer of the Moving at the Speed of Creativity Blog recently visited the Confederate Memorial Museum in Oklahoma. While touring the museum he took photographs of the various displays and then used Voicethread to post a narrated slide show to his blog. Check it out HERE.

This is a great way for you to see the exhibits in a museum that may otherwise be in accessible to you as a teacher. You can also check out the museum's website at: http://www.civilwaralbum.com/atoka/

Question is: How can your students do something like this? Do you live near a Civil War museum or a location associated with the Civil War? Does your local historical society have artifacts from soldiers who may have fought during the war? If so, take some digital photos and create a virtual tour for everyone to share.

Another thought...look up museums and historical societies in other towns with ties to the Civil War. Then find the local schools and get in contact with the district. Once you get in contact, ask them to collaborate on a project. Have their students go and take pictures and have your students write up the narrative.

Lots of ideas...

The Secrets of the Civil War

The July issue of U.S. News and World Report had a special section called The Secrets of the Civil War.

The articles pretty good and there are some great resources that can be used in your classroom including a multimedia timeline of the war.

Check it out at The Secrets of the Civil War