My Family and the Civil War in America- An Expository Writing

Unit of Study- The American Civil War (five day)

Objectives

To research the American Civil War- causes, effects,
participants, etc.

To research the roles that the students'
families played during the war.


To develop research skills- hypothesis, thesis,
documentation, etc.

To plan and complete an expository writing.

To foster a connectedness between the students and
history.

Activities

1. Brainstorming causes and effects of the Civil War
2. Practice writing hypothesis,documentation,rubrics
3. Students interview their parents and grandparents
4. Research family members through ancestry sites.
5. Students develop outlines
6. Students write first draft
7. Students use rubric to self-assess
8. Students write second draft
9. Students use rubric with others for group-assess
10. Students write final draft for teacher assessment

Materials needed
Access to internet
Writing materials
White board or blackboard
Access to public libary and/or school library
Writing Rubric

Assessment
1st writing draft
Rubric self-assessment
2nd writing draft
Rubric group assessment
final typed writing
Teacher rubric assessment

Lesson Assessment
Student Inventory on the Process
Teacher Self Inventory on the Process