Withdrawl!!

I don't know about anyone else, but my entire summer has been Civil War....BCoF all during June was one thing, but now all of July has been the same way....the trip was AMAZING, and when I came home, all I have wanted to do and read has been having to do with the Civil War. I'm not sure how many times my boys have put in Gods and Generals or Gettysburg....it's kind of like those little kids watching the same episode of Barney over and over again EXCEPT I actually don't mind these.....I have read some great little books that I am excited to use in my classroom and I have found some great sites and video clips to use with my unit this year. I so enjoyed being around all of the great teachers that were in our group! Wow, how was I lucky enough to be able to be chosen for this experience. I am so much more knowledgeable, but also realized how much I still don't know (even more than before)....like the old idea of : "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know". The difference now however, is I have a whole different perspective and excitement about this part of America's history. I can't wait to share with my students and with my colleagues!

THANK YOU so much to the the L H Miller Foundation and to Zions Bank for this great opportunity. If the goal is to get teachers more excited to learn and share history with their students, success has been had by you.....I certainly have a renewed excitement and love that was not quite this grand before July 7th. :)

Battle Cry of Freedom - Music's Influence

I can't help but think of the tune to Battle Cry of Freedom almost every time I say those words. Most people would agree that words set to music can provide a powerful experience to the listener. I'm sure soldiers and civilians alike drew great strength from the music of this time. While Battle Cry of Freedom was uniquely inspiring for both sides, I'm sure that the Union and Confederacy each had their own songs to rally behind or express their sadness and anxiety. I can't say that I'm too familiar with the few songs named in the book, but I'm excited to learn more about Civil War music from Paula and Sharon B. I hope two of my favorites, When Johnny Comes Marching Home and Battle Hymn of the Republic are among those we discuss.

A Soldier's Heaven

"Sometimes he believed in a Heaven, mostly he believed in a heaven; there ought to be a Heaven for young soldiers, especially for young soldiers, but just as surely for the old soldier, there ought to be more than just that metallic end, and then silence, then the worms, and sometimes he believed, mostly he believed, but just this moment he did not believe at all, knew Kilrain was dead and gone forever, that the grin had died and would not reappear, ever, there was nothing beyond the sound of the guns but the vast dark, the huge nothing, not even silence, just an end..." (p.327)

Chamberlain showed how much he would miss his dear friend Kilrain in these words. He felt an extreme sense of loss. I've never lost anyone really close to me, and therefore can't understand the amount of pain involved. For Chamberlain it was enough for him to deny his belief in an afterlife, at least for this moment. Whether for better or worse, cannon fire broke him from his quiet suffering.

Killer Angels 3

My heart went out to Longstreet as he sat on the rail fence and watched his ragged and weary men retreat. He had just been involved in a nightmare that left him empty. He couldn't even pray. He was in the depth of despair. He felt like his men had died for nothing and he had sent them to their deaths. It seemed like he was going to end his life when Lee showed up. Lee approached him and said it was all his fault, but Longstreet could only feel remorse. When he took his horse and turned into the line of fire I think he couldn't take any more. He wanted to end his pain.

This book has presented the human side to the Civil War. It has left me with a sad reverence for the pain that our country experienced during a time when the South was fighting for its culture and state rights and the North sought to unionize the nation and free the slaves. The book was very powerful.

Killer Angels 2

I was interested in Chamberlain's section. There was a part when Chamberlain felt odd about his reaction to the black man that was hurt. He explained it as a "crawly sensation." He closely examined how different he was up close: very black, white palms, brute jaw-line, etc. It seemed to stir in him emotions that he hadn't expected. He felt ashamed. He was startled by some of the differences this man had, yet realized how similar he was to the man. He was kind to him, fed him and tried to help him.

I wonder if hate and prejudice begins by blowing subtle differences out of proportion and then focusing on the unusual feelings you might experience and the fear of those feelings? When I take the time to know people from all different walks of life, I always find how similar we are.

The Killer Angels Part 1

Wow...I am really glad I read BCoF first. Killer Angels is almost like a beach book in comparison!
I am enjoying getting to know the characters that played such a role in the Civil War. I like how the book switches perspectives. It really gives the reader a feel for how each side approached the war. I didn't know that Lee had heart problems and was weak during Gettysburg. I am amazed that he could lead an army, live in a tent, ride a horse, endure the heat, and have health issues. On page 88 he had a tightening of the chest and then he grabbed his arm. I wonder if he was having a small heart attack. He must have had a lot of pain tolerance and determination to continue. He was an amazing man.

McClellan

I am totally amazed that McClellan had so little respect for authority. His disrespect in following orders, etc. never seized to amaze me as I read this book.

BCoB -- Grant

I have really enjoyed learning about how Grant changed from his earlier military days. I found it really interesting to see how much he grew to become such a confident leader and eventually president. It was interesting to read about how he had fears about meeting the other side and then he realized the "enemy colonel" had some of those same fears. What a great man to learn from his mistakes--a lesson for all of us!

Killer Angels #3

I´m very taken with 2 of the characters from this book: Chamberlain and Longstreet.
Chamberlain, being a college professor with no military experience, and feeling responsible to keep his younger brother safe. He is portrayed as a very moral man, not seeing himself as a prejudicial, yet unable to find any any glowing attributes for the ¨black man¨ that is found just before Day 1.
This subject could lead to a discussion, debate, followed by a persuasive essay. Many kids don´t realize that they may or may not have prejudices.
My other favorite character, Longstreet, is a very lonely man. He is not only grieving for the loss of his family, but reveres Lee as a father, and notices his frailty. Kilrain and Lee both give Longstreet ¨fatherly¨ feedback. Their well being is an extra burden for him during the battles both before and after. I like how Longstreet knows himself fairly well. For instance: Generally, he likes to be by himself, but this particular day he realizes that he is depressed and really needs to shake this mood. He greets Fremantle and rides with him for time, letting Fremantle just ramble on about frivolous conversation! He realizes his state of mind again the night after the battle at Little Round Tree. He rides throughout the Rebel camps checking on the troops and Armstead invites him over to the camp fire for singing, storytelling and some drink. He refuses several times out of his responsibility to the men; keeping sharp, not letting the drink cloud his decisions.
Longstreet also struggles with expressing himself as he did when talking to Fremantle about Lee. Fremantle describes Lee as devious, and Longstreet goes off on a tangent defending him. He says, ¨There isn´t a devious bone in Lee´s body! After his rather lengthy tyrade, he realizes that he has said too much. He feels disloyal and foolish.
These are just a few instances of humanity that is portrayed in these two characters.
I think I would use these examples as journal prompts, and have the students examine some of the things they have done and said, and how might they feel after expressing those feelings.

Killer Angels #2

I´ve read several blogs asking why Lee didn´t listen to Longstreet. From what I´ve read so far, Longstreet´s military strategies were based upon what he had learned while serving on the western front. Those strategies learned in the west is what he requested to use several times during the CW. Lee on the other hand, was from the ¨Napoleonic¨ era of military tactics that always said to ¨attack¨. Lee didn´t have the experience that Longstreet had, and Longstreet respected Lee too much to disobey orders to prove his point. That being said, the battle at Little Round Top didn´t play out the way Lee intended it too.
I'm not sure I understand why ALL the soldiers revered and loved Lee so much. I realize that he handled the men extremely well, but some of his battle strategies killed so many. Why were the soldiers so willing to see their friends and family members die without so much as grumbling about poor tactics? All I can think of is that his reputation at West Point preceeded any doubts of his abilities.

Killer Angels #1

One of the things I really like about the book is how the author takes a considerable amount of time introducing the main characters from both the Union and Rebel sides. There is a different slant in the characters between the 2 books: one factual and one historical fiction. I enjoyed getting to know the characters from both view points.
Another part of the book that I found quite interesting is the knowledge of Lee´s health. A lot is said about his chest pains and how ¨careful he must be to walk carefully¨. BCoF doesn´t ever reference Lee´s health.
I also liked the presence of Fremantle and ¨friends¨. It brings the part about the South trying to influence England to support their military issue by sending English troops..
This is the kind of book that hooks kids into history! This is the kind of book that a teacher needs to internalize to bring the true spirit and purpose of the war directly from its characters to the students. I think I would use this in a part text, part personal narration. Then a discussion to talk about how the students feel about what is taking place; was it right or was it wrong, and might you have done it yourself and why. I can see an activity that would involve art and Civil War symbols on a large sheet of paper folded into 26 squares to represent each letter of the alphabet, or make a paper box illustrated on each of the side portions of the scenes as the students pictured them.

For the Love of Lee- #3KA

How is it that there is such love and respect for this man that the army would forge forward in an impossible challenge … to do what? Soldiers took their hats off to him. They stood at a distance and smiled in his direction. “soldiers were drifting up to stand happily by -gazing with paternal affection at Lee.” He had to be careful as he went about on the battlefield, because the men all turned to him and would give away his identity. And they went charging toward death out of valor and raw courage, but mostly out of love for this leader- Lee.
I felt hollow for days after reading the final day. In some strange insensible way, I wished the South to do better this time in this final battle of Gettysburg. I wished for it to not hurt so much.

Fighting Friends

As I review the second day of the Gettysburg Battle, I am reminded that many of these soldiers were fighting friends and family. When Lee learns of the death of Reynolds, he mourns his loss and speaks well of him. As the heat reminds Longstreet of the fighting in Mexico, he remembers that many of them fought together there- " And the past flared again in Longstreet's mind and the world tilted and for a moment they were all one army again. ... It troubles me sometimes- They're never quite the enemy those boys in blue. I used to command those boys- difficult thing to fight men you used to command." This war truly was a war of one- people -divided.

Feedback

Marzano quotes John Hattie, "The most powerful single modification that enhances achievement is feedback." This really got me thinking. It seems as if education right now is in a testing frenzy. However, how often do the students get useful, timely feedback from the tests they take. Yes, we teachers can analyze the data, but how does that really help the students immediately. Students need to know what they did correctly--positive feedback, and also what they are not doing correctly. I really liked the part of this chapter that talked about students can effectively provide some of their own feedback. I know that as a teacher it is hard to get to all the work I have the students do, but I can take some of that pressure of by allowing the students to give each other feedback. I already do this somewhat with writing but I'm going to see if I can implement it accross the curricullum. Great information.

Battle Cry of Freedom 3

European involvement in the Civil War was for individual gain more than interest in the outcome. Because of a strong belief that an Aristocracy was better, European countries wished to celebrate the failure of Democracy. The English journalist Hotze wrote to encourage the prejudices against Yankees. He appealed to all types of working class citizens as mentioned on page 548. The reason Europe was sympathetic to the cause of the South was directly related to their dependence on cotton supplied to them by the South.

I just kept thinking while reading this section how “King Corn” knocked “King Cotton” off its pedestal because people like to be fed before they are clothed.

Battle Cry of Freedom 2

Technology advances during the Civil War were out of necessity and genius of those inventers and investors of the time. The creation of interchangeable parts for the reaper, muskets and specialized parts in America will forever change industry for the entire world.

The change from the smoothbore to the rifle made shooting more accurate and faster. A “sharpshooter” could single out and kill an enemy’s officers without difficulty - and necessitated that officers conceal themselves during battle by wearing the apparel of a private.

Mallory supported the inventions of the torpedo boats and torpedoes (mines). Although the submarine was effective in battle but it was also dangerous to those who dared to use them. There were many other inventions during this time; some were the camera and the hypodermic needle.

Honor

I can't help but appreciate the way opposing sides dealt with each other during this war. They respected each other, they regarded each other as "sir," and they were trustworthy. These ideals seem so foreign from what we see in today's wars. When Chamberlain went running down the side of Little Round Top and captured a Confederate officer, the man simply said, "Your prisoner, sir." Chamberlain thereafter left the officer expecting that he would remain a prisoner despite the fact that no one was guarding him. Before the battle began, two men from the Second Maine still refused to fight. Not able to spare a man to guard them, Chamberlain declared, "I'll waste no man to guard you. I'll expect to find you here when this is over." Tom later approached Chamberlain with another Reb officer. After being introduced to the officer Chamberlain offered him water from his own canteen. There seemed to be such honor among men in the past. Where has that gone today? What changed? Why isn't a handshake or a man's word good enough any more?

Fremantle

I was surprised to find that there was a group of press and foreign visitors following the Southern troops. I enjoyed the way Sharra included the visits between Longstreet and Fremantle from England. I wonder how true and complete the description is. I really was unaware of the interest of England in this war. If the South had been victorious they may have been a greater part of the history of North America as they were in Australia and South Africa.
I chuckled to read Fremantle's (compilment?) of Lee- "I mean, one does not expect it. No offense,sir? but your General Lee is an English general, sir. Strordnry." In the book Longstreet seems to enjoy Fremantle as he observes from a safe distance.

Turning Points... (BCoF 3)

Here's an exercise for all of us...  and an opportunity for you to comment on this post if you still need to comment on the posts of others (I think we have to do three?)

Studying history books, you find page after page identifying moments that "could have changed the trajectory of history completely." ... So-called turning points.  As I've flipped back through the pages of these books and identified and remembered things that I have found interesting and/or noteworthy, many of them are these "turning points" or "pivotal moments."  The one I will identify now was during the crisis caused by the federal blockade and subsequent strained relations with Britain and France.  What if Seward had acted as he usually did and brought the British into the war on behalf of the Confederacy?  Not only would the U.S. have had one additional enemy to fight, we would also have lost our main source of saltpeter/gunpowder.  Not a winning combination.  Probably a recipe for defeat?

What turning points/pivotal moments have you identified in your study of the Civil War Era?

Setting Objectives/Marzano

In chapter 8 of Classroom Instruction That Works, I found it very interesting that it said when stating your goals or objectives for your lessons or units to not be too specific. That more learning occurs if there is more flexibility in the goal. This way students will be able to personalize the goals for themselves. I thought this would be really good when setting goals for a Civil War unit. All the students come with prior knowledge, and all that knowledge comes at varied levels. I loved the way the teacher in the example had the students actually write down their goals in a way that started with I want to know... and I want to know more... This way the students will focus on the goals they've set for themselves. I've always found that students learn more when they have a vested interest. I know that this sounds pretty basic, but I think sometimes we tend to get into the fluff of things and forget to go back to basics. Great chapter. Good ideas on feedback too.