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Jeff Van
Zile
09
Project
Summary
Elmira National Cemetery Project
-
General Overview of
the Proposed Project:
Project was entitled: “Remembering Those Whom Fought.”
Activities:
-
Research the
Prisoners of War at Elmira Prison Camp in 1864
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Find an individual
at the camp and complete a biography on that person, the prisoner
must have a died at the camp which was open from 1864 -1865.
-
After biography,
go to National Cemetery and make a sketch of the gravestone of the
prisoner that died at Elmira.
-
Perform a
gravestone rubbing of the solider.
-
IF, family exists
in the South, send rubbing and biography to descendents.
2.
Clear purpose & objective:
A. Historical consequences of Elmira Prison Camp.
B. Develop research skills into primary sources and
historically writing.
C. Analyze Elmira Prison Camp as a either a camp or a
death sentence.
3.
Stakeholders: Grade level, whom will benefit, and participate:
A. All students registered in The American Civil War
B. Grade level: 9 – 12
C. Students did benefit from research as well as the
local historical society.
4.
U.S History Content area:
A. Civil War era
5.
Outline describing content:
See attached
6.
Software to be used, internet materials, contacts, etc:
A
variety of print and electronic sources will be used, including NARA
and Library of Congress materials; other primary
source materials.
Chemung County Historical Society as well as the
National Cemetery will
be used.
7.
Level of Student Involvement:
Students had to be involved in every detail of the
project so they had
“ownership” in the project and could connect with a
Civil War Solider.
8.
Evaluation Process (include students when possible):
After completion of the project, students will share with each other
what they would like to see different and change from the project.
Also, they will also state what they liked and what made a
difference from them. What hooked them? What kept them going to
help out the families.
9.
Timeline:
November 2008
10. Comments & questions:
The largest comments were around, this is amazing. This
is something that should be done every year. Students reacted at
every step with enthusiasm and eagerness. Even the research was
done with the utmost care and compassion for the dead. The number
one question and concern was, we cannot believe that this men were
so far away from home and suffered as political prisoners.
It
was an amazing experience for the students and for me to see the
final products.
VanZile 09
Reflection:
Students are truly amazing. They will rise to the level that is
asked of them and will perform to the standards that are given to
them. I asked all students to be professional and act in a manner
that was not only professional but respectful of the task at hand.
Students were not only professional and acted in a respectful
manner, but they took the project to the next level. Having stood
with twenty-five students in a National Cemetery and seeing their
reactions to the research that they did, and place the names, dates
and yes faces to the project was amazing. The light that teachers
look for in students eyes and on their faces is what I saw when all
the pieces came together. There are no words that can do justice to
the expressions and reflections that my students did.
What most amazed me was that a group of students came up with the
idea to try and send their research and grave rubbings to remaining
family in the South from the prisoners at Elmira. In some cases
there were no ties that the students could find, however some
students were able to find relatives in South and were able to send
their research and rubbings. In all cases were materials were
shipped South, the students received a note or letter back thanking
them for their efforts. Remarkable to see students take history
from 1864 and apply to their lives today.
The last remarkable action from the students was for their Final in
the class they wanted to due a visual report on a battle that their
solider was in. Gladly I agreed and their Finals for the class were
amazing. So amazing that I have kept them and plan on displaying
for many years in my room.
I
am impressed with students everyday, and amazed that the connections
are there for them to make, and they do.
November 2008:
3
-5: Introduction of project in class
10th:
Finalization, expectations and acceptance of project.
Permissions slips due for Historical Society
13th
& 14th: Research at Chemung County Historical Society.
17th::
Permission slips due for National Cemetery.
21st:
National Cemetery:
-
Introduction from Superintendent
-
Expectations from Superintendent & Mr. Van Zile
-
Begin
process
·
Please remember the following items:
- Coat, scarf,
gloves – it is Winter folks.
- Rubbing
paper and China crayon.
** There is nothing else that you will
need. i.e. cell phones.
You already know the rules and
conditions concerning
cell phones in the Cemetery as
well as your demeanor.
24th:
Rubbings due in class
25th:
All aspects of project due. Research and rubbings.
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