A Visit to Manassas Battlefield Park and Museum

Manassas National Battlefield Park
12521 Lee Highway
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 361-1339

Instructional Unit:
A Visit to Manassas Battlefield Park and Museum.

Curriculum Unit:
Grade 5
Social Studies

Objectives:
The children will come to have an appreciation of the battle. They will see the perspectives of soldiers from both the North and the South. This was a significant battle because at this point, the North realized this was not a war that would end in a matter of months. The students should have some understanding of each soldier's motivation and feelings. I would like them to realize how frightening and horrifying the battle itself must have been, because in contrast to our current use of automatic weapons, the soliders had to carefully reload after each shot. There will also be some emphasis on the strategies the Generals on each side used to set up the battle.

Pre-Visit Activities:
I received a kit from the park. In it is a history of the battle, as well as some classroom activities (crossword puzzles, etc.). We will complete these so the children will be familiar with what they will see.

On-Site Activities:
After a brief introduction from the Park Ranger, the children will see a 13-minute slide presentation in the auditorium. This will give the children an idea of what took place on the grounds. After this, the class will go outside where the ranger will point out places of interest. Each child will have a copy of the walking tour and in groups they will follow the tour and read what happened where. When this is complete,a ranger, dressed in a war uniform, will tell what being a soldier during the Civil War was like, explain about components of the uniform, and describe what the soldiers ate. Following this, s/he will answer questions and then the children may walk through the museum and gift shop.

Follow-Up Activities:
Go over in a class discussion what we saw and did.
1. Assign various writing projects:

a. Have the children choose a side and be a soldier fighting in a battle or any other time.Tell his thoughts, his fears, his actions, etc.
b. Pretend to be a sweetheart, a sister , a daughter, son or any other family member. What are your thoughts and feelings?

2. Draw a map of the battle and write in the armies.
3. Do a play of a family getting ready for the fight.
4. I'll videotape the trip. The children may check out the tape to share with their family. They can tell their class their opinions.
5. Do a newspaper article covering the Battle. Some take the side of the North, some the South.
6. Keep a diary from the point of view of the soldier, family member, etc.


Appendices:
none

Bibliography:
none

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