NO SCHOOL: HOLIDAY RECESS!
On Thursday, students in Patrick Young and Thomas Rende's American Experience class explored the lives of Union soldiers during the Civil War through an immersive gallery walk activity.
Students engaged their senses to understand the challenges faced by those in the army, completing questions about various topics at five different Civil War stations: army food, weapons and equipment, games, battlefield medicine and diseases.
From sampling hard tack and chicory root tea to trying on a replica wool soldier’s coat and observing the limited water capacity of a canteen, students were encouraged to think critically about how they would have reacted and responded to such inhospitable conditions.
One element that really fascinated students was a shiny metal box with a candleholder inside — this simple, but clever tool served as a nightlight and is one example of what soldiers would have carried in their haversack, along with hygiene items and food.
As a final exercise, each student wrote a reflection on their response to President Lincoln's call for soldiers to enlist in the Union Army, imagining themselves alive during this pivotal moment in our nation's history.
Through this creative lesson, students not only learned about the Civil War, but also gained insights into the sacrifices, beliefs and values of past generations.
American Experience is an interdisciplinary course that centers on the cooperative discovery of the history and literature of the United States. This is one of the many amazing courses available to our students here at Albany High!