Sample Winning Grant

The Life of the Soldier in the Civil War: A Living History Trunk

Grett Stewart, Walker Upper Elementary
1997-98 Grant Award Winner

I would like to create a trunk containing artifacts, uniforms, photographs, letters, tapes, lesson plans, and selected reference books for use by classroom teachers as they teach the subject of the ordinary soldier in the Civil War. This trunk would provide the materials necessary for enrichment and hands-on activities to complement the Civil War curriculum and could easily be passed on from room to room within a school building.

The materials in the trunk would allow individual teachers to differentiate their instruction for students of varying abilities. History would come alive as students handle, examine, and hypothesize about the artifacts and materials within. Interdisciplinary activities would be emphasized since the supplies provide possibilities for history, art, music, drama, writing, and reading activities. Teachers could follow the prepared lessons or add to them in their own creative ways.

Some of the activities would include dressing students in uniforms and encouraging role playing, learning about the history and importance of uniforms in the Civil War, and studying the role of young boys in the war. Additional activities would include lessons on using photographs and letters as primary resources for information. Participating in leisure time activities such as music, songs, letter writing, and games is another activity developed from the trunk. The materials could be used to research and recreate the role of women as spies. Flags would be included to show the changes in our American flag and the emotions created by the presence of the flag.

Books would emphasize the role of young men and women in the Civil War as well as the contributions of African Americans. Samples of poetry by Walt Whitman and others would be included to motivate writing Civil War poems.

The success of the project would be based on teacher use and student enthusiasm. Are the lessons workable? Are the items used often? Do the activities motivate children to go out, read, and learn more about the Civil War? Are new ideas generated by the trunk? Have the teachers used the books for professional development? Has the trunk helped make teaching the Civil War more interactive? Has it actively involved students in the learning process?

The National Park Service in Fredericksburg, Virginia has provided me with a list of Civil War artifacts sold by Fair Oaks Sutler, Inc. which they use for their projects. Their materials are well made and long lasting. A sample of what I would include is: 2 Sack Coats (blue and gray) $154, Shirt $19.50, Slouch Hat $21.50, Kepi Hat $21.50, Cartridge Box with Tins $38.00, Waist Belt $8.50, Cap Box $8.95, Strap $12.50, Haversack Stuffers (cards, wood comb, harmonica, cedar pencil, pipe, New Testament, bone toothbrush, sewing kit) $45.00, Insignia $11.00, Buttons $5.00, Brass Plates US, CS, Eagle $15.00, snood $12.95.

Books: Black Soldiers in the Civil War: Young Readers' History $16.99, Teachers and Writers Guide to Walt Whitman $13.95, The Boys War $15.95, War, Terrible War by Joy Hakim $9.95, A Separate Battle: Women and the Civil War $16.00, Documentary Photo Aids $52.00

Approximate cost of "Living History Trunk" $475.00