Civil War Map Activity: Battle of Nashville

Overview

Students work in pairs to analyze an 1863 map of the Battle of Nashville, created by the Union army, for clues about its purpose. They form a hypothesis about why someone needed this map, support their hypothesis with detailed observations, and develop their own questions about the map. Finally, each student writes a paragraph demonstrating how a soldier may have used a map like this one before or during battle.

Objectives

After completing this learning activity, students will be able to:

• Observe a map’s details to identify basic elements
• Analyze a map to determine its purpose
• Form hypotheses based on observations
• Develop questions stemming from primary source analysis

Time Required

Two 45-minute class period;

Recommended Grade Range

3-5

Topic/s

Maps

Subject

Geography

Standards

Standards & Benchmarks

Geography

Standard 1. Understands the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies.

Standard 17. Understands how geography is used to interpret the past.

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