Re-enacting the Battle of Gettysburg

I always love the day my students "re-enact" the Battle of Gettysburg. A lesson that some of my fellow teachers (including my wife) think that I am crazy for doing, this lesson happens to be one of my favorites anyways.

The questions I asked myself in the planning process:

• How can I get my students outside of my classroom? 
• Is there an ideal location to teach about Gettysburg?
• How can I use props and costumes?
• How can I make this a memorable experience for my students?
• How can I make sure that the standards will be taught?
• How can I ensure that the students are learning?

At my school, there are hills on the campus that make a re-enactment of Gettysburg possible. For those who may not know: the control of the high ground was a huge advantage for the Union army during the 3-day battle, particularly on the last two days.

The day before the battle, I tell my students to wear either gray or blue tops and tennis shoes. I usually have enough extra sweatshirts for the students who forget. This year, I was able to provide costumes. Using donorschoose.org and Amazon*, I was able to raise $792 in five days to cover the expenses for various costumes. I had enough Union or Confederate hats for each child, a Robert E. Lee costume, and a Union general (George Meade) costume as well. We also had a Lincoln costume for a student who would recite the Gettysburg Address after the battle. The students were so thrilled about the costumes! If you helped get us those costumes and you're reading this, thank you :)

It'd be difficult to re-enact a battle without weapons, so here's what we do (with administrative permission): we let the kids use sticks as guns. We clearly outline the expectations beforehand so that students know that they may only be used as weapons during the battle re-enactment--not while they are lining up, listening to instructions, or learning about the battle. The kids love it...so much that they are willing to follow directions more than usual.  I proceed to walk students through the different days of the battle, explaining the events of each day, and then let them re-enact what I had just described.

Students love this activity for several reasons, but first and foremost, it's a chance for them to just be kids! They get to play. Use their imaginations. Fake their deaths in academy award winning ways. It's pretty epic. Students remember the costumes. They remember the hill they "fought" on. They remember the story of Jennie Wade. They remember the speech Lincoln gave...

The Union held a strong defensive position on Cemetery Ridge.

The Confederates attack the Union soldiers.

The Union controlled the high ground.

A Union casualty.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

...And most of all, they remember the joy they experienced.


*By using the Amazon link above, you will actually help my wife and I earn about 6% of the cost you pay to Amazon. That money will go to support our international adoption expenses.