The Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War and Reconstruction are the focus of the Teaching American History Grant for Parkway and Rockwood 8th grade teachers.  Teachers begin their experience with the study of the Understanding by Design unit and lesson plan model.

In the summer of 2006 teachers will study with scholars from the Civil War Preservation Trust and scholars from the Center for the Study of the Civil War. Teaching and learning will be enhanced when teachers create lessons and assessments on the knowledge they gained over the summer.  Teachers will learn innovative teaching strategies from History Alive! And Teacher Created Materials to enhance the instruction of American history in their classroom.

During the summer of 2007 teachers will travel to Springfield, Illinois for work at the Lincoln Library and Museum.  The summer of 2008 is highlighted with the “Civil War in Missouri” tour.  During the three year program, the teachers will be led by Dr. Warren Rosenblum of Webster University for his expertise in using museums as teaching tools and his knowledge of Lincoln and the Civil War.  The three year learning experience will culminate with a lesson sharing event for the teachers.