Parker Barrett
Reading Response Log:
The Civil War
Rationale:
Welcome
U.S.History students! For this portion of the class we will be taking an in
depth look at the American Civil War (War Between the States). Along with the
notes and technology lessons, we will read five various books pertaining to the
Civil War. These books will allow the students to better understand the culture
and lives of the people during the conflict.
I chose
these books for many reasons. I have been an avid Civil War fan since I was
seven years old. Each of these five books that I would have my students read
are books that I have read in the past. Some of these books are purely
historical, while others are historical works of fiction that give the students
a personal look at the closeness of the opposing sides.
1. Title: Voices From Civil War
Author: Meltzer,
Milton
Pub date: c1989.
ISBN: 0690048009
Item info: 1 copy
available at Amarillo
Public Library North
Summary-
This book is composed of primary and secondary sources and
is intended for the purpose of gaining perspective into the lives of those who
lived during the Civil War. This book has 203 pages and most all of the book is
dedicated to letters of soldiers on both sides and high-ranking personnel.
Personal
Notes-
As an avid historian and school-teacher, I love how this
book captures the raw details of the war and not just the beauty that most
authors try to emulate. Some of the letters are really haunting because that
person soon after died in duty. All in all this book will be an excellent
opportunity for the high school students to capture the essence of civilian and
military life during the war.
Usage in
Classroom-
After reading this book, the students could write a
“war-time” letter to a loved one just as the men and women did in real life
during the War Between the States.
2. Title: Where Death and Glory
Meet
Author: Duncan,
Russell.
Publisher: University of Georgia Press,
Pub date: c1999.
ISBN: 0820321354
Item info: 1 copy
available at Amarillo
Public Library Southwest
Summary-
This book gives an historical account of the African
American soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry and their leader,
Col. Robert Shaw. The book goes into detail about the failed, but valiant,
charge at Ft. Wagner led by Col. Shaw.
Personal
Notes-
This book does a great job exploring the challenges that the
African American soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry faced on
and off the battlefield. It should be a good read for high school students due
to the personal nature of race and freedom that is involved in the book.
Usage in
Classroom-
Have the students discuss the actions of various people and
people groups in this book. Were the actions of the Confederate soldiers’ extreme
for war time conditions? Was Col. Shaw smart in organizing a charge on the fort
knowing what would most likely happen to the black soldiers if they were
unsuccessful?
3. Title: Words for the Hour
Author: Barrett,
Faith
Publisher: University of Massachusetts
Press,
Pub date: c2005.
ISBN: 1558495096
Item info: All copies
are taken from Amarillo
Public Library at the moment
Summary-
This book gives the reader a glance into the art and passion
that went into the lives of poets during the Civil War. The100 plus pages of
this book are all poems that glorify and expose the American Civil War.
Personal
Notes-
I love how this book brings about passion to this brutal
time period, not just stats and facts. The poems all express different
perspectives for both sides of the fight.
Usage in
Classroom-
The great thing about this book is that it can be used in a
History or English class. I would turn this assignment into an
interdisciplinary lesson, examining the literary themes and formations of the
poems while exploring the thoughts, locations, and dates of the poets.
4. Title: Genealogical resources of the Civil War era:
online and published military or civilian name lists, 1861-1869, & post-war
veteran lists
Publisher:Family
Roots Pub. Co.,
Pub date: c2009.
ISBN: 9781933194455
Item info:1 copy
available at Amarillo
Public Library Central.
Summary-
This book is mainly a list of stats and names pertaining to
the War Between the States, but does a great job manifesting the massive toll
the Civil War took on civilians and soldiers alike.
Personal
Notes-
I try not to incorporate boring book about random facts and
stats into the curriculum. This, however, is a different stat book. The entire
time I read the book in high school I was enamored at how the author was able
to make the book such an enjoyable read for an amateur historian like myself.
Usage in
Classroom-
The main purpose in using this book in my classroom would be
for the resources that are made available in this book. This book could help
many students with research papers dealing with the Civil War Era in the fact
that it has ample amounts of stats and primary and secondary sources.
Author: Ward,
Geoffrey C.
Publication info New York: Knopf, 1990.
ISBN: 0394562852 :
Item info: 1 copy
available at Amarillo
Public Library Central
Summary-
This book is a really great piece for any historian or
teacher to have in their library. Based off of the Ken Burns documentary, The Civil War gives great insight into
the entire scope of the disastrous conflict.
Personal
Notes-
This was one of the first Civil War books I ever read
growing up and continue to look over the pages, marveling at the detail in the
book over the content. This is a pretty lengthy book, might as well be
classified as a textbook, but there are some great passage for individual
detail.
Usage for
Classroom-
There are many things a student can accomplish by using this
book. One thought might be for the student to draw up and complete a military
map of a certain battle, complete with headquarters, flanks, water passages,
etc. This book could also become the main focus for a research project in which
a student, or multiple students, select a certain passage or event to research
based on the content of the book. They could create a PowerPoint, give a speech
regarding a battle, or could recreate a battle or event using students in the
classroom as historical figures of the time. The possibilities are endless with
this book.
No comments:
Post a Comment