Civil War Virtual Field trips
Lauren Henry
Elective Activity

  • Civil War - This site allows the class to travel back in time and explore the life that people their own ages experienced trying to fight to preserve our nation.  Students will be able to view a documentary film explaining the trials and tribulations both the south and north had to endure.  Students will view images dating back to 1861 - 1865 depicting what they wore, what they fought with, and why this war was considered the bloodest war of all time.  Students can hear music that was played by soldiers when they were bored, to pass the time with, or to help them calm down.  They can view different games that were played by soldiers to help with down time.  This fieldtrip will help students see and feel what it was like to be a soldier in the Civil war.

  • Battle of Gettysburg - This site takes us on a field trip traveling around the fields of battle in Gettysburg between the North and South armies.  Find out how long this battle lasted.  Which Generals fought for each side? Why was General Jackson called "stonewall Jackson".  How many soldiers died on this battle ground?  What was the significance of this war?  Looking at the panoramic view, think about how scared the men were fighting on that open field with no place to hide.  How is it different from wars now?

  • Andersonville Prison - Students will explore the prison in Virginia were 17,000 soldiers were held as prisoners.  The conditions were so bad in this prison that over 13,000 prisons perished due to harsh condition.  What do you think and feel when you see the grave sites for all the fallen soldiers?  How do you feel knowing that each grave stone marks a soldier that died in prison and not on the battlefield.  Describe the conditions of the prison back then and how they differ from our prisons today?

  • Abraham Lincoln - students can tour his birth place and home that Lincoln lived in before he had to leave to become President of the Union before the civil war broke out.  Students can take a look inside the President's house at his belongings and artifacts.  Before viewing his house, what do you picture will be inside?  How do you picture his house, small, big, as a cabin, or made of brick.  After viewing the site, go back and look at your previous answers, did the house and his belongs look like you thought they would?  What does his house and belongs say about him?