Lesson Plan on the American Civil War

This engaging 90 minute lesson introduces Grades 5-8 to the key events, causes and impact of the American Civil War. Based on the animated YouTube video The American Civil War Explained, the lesson includes discussion, note-taking and a student worksheet. Students will explore topics such as slavery, states’ rights, secession, major battles, the Emancipation Proclamation and the war’s legacy.

Through a combination of multimedia, critical thinking questions and short writing tasks learners will gain a deeper understanding of the war’s significance. The worksheet includes a timeline activity, vocabulary matching, true/false questions, short answers and character identification all with an answer key for easy assessment.

The lesson encourages active participation, critical thinking and historical empathy. It’s perfect for a U.S. history unit and can be used in person or distance learning. This lesson helps students connect past to present day issues of equality, unity and civil rights in American history.