Q4 Civil War Syllabus

The U.S. in the 19^th Century:

Civil War and Beyond

Trillium Charter School

Class time and place: Instructor:

Monday/Wednesday 12:35-2:10 Ken Gadbow

Ken’s room gadbow@gmail.com

503-348-9849

Course structure and overview:

This class is a continuation of the Civil War class from third quarter. Our goal in last term was to understand some of the events that led up to the war. Now, in quarter four, we will be investigating the process of the war, the end results, and what it was like for the country to rebuild itself when the battles were over. In order to understand as many aspects of the war as possible, in as many ways as possible, we will use readings, role-plays, music, read alouds, film, and the Internet.

Students who are continuing with this class from Q3 will find many similarities. There is, however, one major change. The goal of Q4 is to produce an educational workshop for grades 3-4-5. All of our studies this term will be geared toward preparing for those workshops. Students may work alone or in groups. Students may choose to continue exploring a topic from Q3, or find a totally new area of the war to investigate. The object at the end of the term is to create a meaningful, engaging experience for the 3-4-5 students that educates them about aspects of the Civil War with which they are not already familiar.

Code of Conduct:

All Trillium students and staff are accountable for respecting themselves and each other as laid out in the Trillium Constitution. This class is no exception. We may design our own practices specific to this course, but only within the framework of fair action and fair language. Any speech or action that creates an environment in which any member feels unsafe is unacceptable.

Assignments and grading policies:

Students will be evaluated based on these criteria:

• Class participation: helping maintain a respectful, healthy class environment with each member contributing to the success of the final workshop. (50% of grade)
• Mid-quarter project evaluation (workshop draft). (10% of grade)
• Final workshop presentation. (30% of grade)
• End of quarter self-evaluation. (10% of grade)

Course Schedule

Week 1 (April 24-28) – Course overview

• Wednesday: what 3-4-5’ers know about the Civil War.

Week 2 (May 1-5) – Battles Raging.

• Monday and Wednesday: The war intensifies. Confederacy eyes certain victory.

Parent Conferences this week.

Week 3 (May 8-12) – The turning point.

• Monday and Wednesday: Changing objectives, shifting strategies.

Week 4 &5 (May 15-19) – The War is over.

· Monday and Wednesday: Resignation, resentment, and Reconstruction.

Week 6 (May 22-26) – False hope?

• Monday: Reconstruction – Jim Crow, the KKK, and the new Old South.

MS and HS campouts May 24-26

Week 7 (May 29-June 1) –

• Monday: No school – Memorial Day
• Wednesday: Rehearsal for final workshop. All projects due.

Senior graduation Saturday, June 3

Week 8 (June 5 -9) – Workshop!

• Monday and Wednesday: Host workshop for 3-4-5 students.

Final full week of school

Week 9 (June 12-14) – Oaks Park!

Happy summer. See you next year.