Civil War Ball Brings History to Life for Middle Schoolers

On April 14, seventh-graders took a step back in time at a Civil War Ball in Roth Hall. As part of a research-based assignment for their Core class, students came to the ball dressed as characters from the Civil War; some were dressed as soldiers with missing limbs, others were dressed as women of the 1860s.

 

The characters that students came dressed as were based on a general topic they were assigned by their Core class teachers: Josh Adler, Todd Baron or Oksana Godoy. If a student was assigned “doctor,” for example, they had to create a character to fit that role, based on research from the era, medical science during the period, as well as related historical events and famous people. Students also were required to write several paragraphs of historical fiction about their character. Each student then combined all of the relevant information they found through their research in iBook Author to publish a book about their character. Many of the student’s iBooks included Civil War songs, photographs and video.

 

At the ball, students were required to interview two fellow student characters and use one of the many iPads placed around the room to find information about a third. After the interviews were complete, students enjoyed food and entertainment from their peers, including Civil War era-based skits and musical performances.