Andersonville Prisoner of War Camp

Why did so many Union prisoners die at Andersonville. Who do you think was responsible? Why? Captain Henry Wirz is often called "the last casualty of Andersonville." Do you agree or disagree? Was Wirz a victim of Andersonville, or the person responsible for so many deaths? What does it mean to be responsible?

Caring for Civil War Casualties

After learning about the way in which medical care developed during the Civil War, read the excerpts from the diary of M.W. Bates, and answer these questions:

1. How did the ambulance driver and Dr. Avery behave under fire? Do you think they behaved responsibly? Why or why not?

2. What response did Dr. Goodale give when asked about Lt. Bates's condition? Why do you think surgeons did not attempt to operate on severely wounded patients?

3. Why does Bates believe he survived his wounds? What further challenge did Bates face on his trip home?

Lincoln's Early Speeches

Read the excerpts from Lincoln's "House Divided," Cooper Union, and First Inaugural Address. Write a paragraph that answers these three questions: 

1. What connections can you make between the three speeches?

2. What is Lincoln's position on slavery?

3. How did Lincoln appeal to the southern states in his First Inaugural Address?

Letters from First Manassas:

Sullivan Ballou's Letter:

1. Why did Sullivan Ballou volunteer for the Union Army?

2. As her husband foreshadowed, Sarah Ballou was widowed and forced to raise her children alone. Do you think that this affected her feelings about continuing the war? If you were in her place, would you have favored ending the war? Why?

J.W. Reid's Letter:

1. Private Reid tells how terrifying a battlefield was for the men who fought in the Civil War.How do you think soldiers mustered the courage to stay and fight in the Civil War? Do the letters of Reid and Ballou give any clues to what they were relying on to protect them?

2. Which of the two letters do you feel more accurately represents the feelings of a common soldier in the Civil War? Why? How could the other letter be changed to make it more realistic?

Earthquake Safety Podcast

Did you do a better job on this podcast campared to your first effort? What did you do better? Do you think that your podcast could help someone who heard it? Why or why not?

SGMS Podcast

What did your group do well in your podcast? What would you do differently next time?

Middle School 2015

How will a middle school classroom in 2015 be different than a classroom in 2008? How will technology help students learn?