Step back in time to one of the most important moments in American history with I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863, by Lauren Tarshis.
This captivating novel takes readers on a journey through the eyes of eleven-year-old Thomas. This young boy finds himself in the midst of one of the bloodiest battles in American history. As he navigates the horrors of war and struggles to stay alive, Thomas discovers the true meaning of courage and bravery. With vivid descriptions and heart-pumping action, readers will be transported back to the Civil War era. Readers will witness the bravery and sacrifices made by those who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Perfect for history buffs and adventure-seekers alike, I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863, is a must-read for anyone interested in American history and the human spirit.
I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 Teaching Activities
Book Unit Samples
You will find the following in this novel study sample:
- Vocabulary Practice
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-2
- Constructed Response Question for Chapters 1-2
Teaching Idea #1 – Author Interview
Watch an interview with the author. Lauren Tarshis answers a number of interesting questions.
Teaching Idea #2 – Teaching Guide from Scholastic
Scholastic provides a free guide. This guide covers the first eight novels in the series. Common Core standards are listed beside the activities. On the website, you will also find seven printables covering skills such as a character study and root word Bingo.
Watch the book trailer. This makes a great hook activity for the novel.
Teaching Idea #3 – Lauren Tarshis Website
Lauren Tarshis’s website contains additional teaching resources. For I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863, the author offers a comprehension check. This check asks one knowledge level question for each chapter. A novel guide covers inference and cause/effect. You can also print a two-page quiz.
Teaching Idea #4 – The Battle of Gettysburg Historical Account
This one-page article about the Battle of Gettysburg is an ideal way for students to compare and contrast an actual event to a fictional account. The article comes with comprehension questions.
Teaching Idea #5 – Ten Interesting Facts
This handout contains 10 interesting facts about the American Civil War including charts of information for students to analyze.
Three handouts from this post have been merged into one for your convenience. You’ll find:
- Ten Interesting Facts…The American Civil War
- Printable American Civil War Timeline Organizer
- Civil War Timeline
The graphic organizer is described in Teaching Idea #4.
Teaching Idea #6 – Ten Interesting Facts
The handout includes an illustrated timeline. Students use this timeline to complete the flip organizer.
Teaching Idea #7 – American Civil War Webpages on Book Units Teacher
Check out the American Civil War Webpages on Book Units Teacher. Students can read the information in fourteen mini-lessons. Online quizzes test students understanding of the lessons.
Teachable Moments
Chapters 7 and 8 contain a lot of historical information including:
- What strengths did the North and South have?
- Which states seceded?
- Why was Richmond important?
- How did Abraham Lincoln feel about slavery?
- What happened at the Battle of Fredericksburg?
- What types of weapons were used?
- Which type of formations did the soldiers use?
- Who was Robert E. Lee?
The author includes “The Gettysburg Address” in the “Author’s Notes.”
See the product that inspired this post.
I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
