Civil War Resource Teaching Packet

Using 22 Union and Confederate
reproduction patriotic envelopes
and 2 plain envelopes
with period reproduction postage stamps,
teacher's guide, study questions, and writing projects
EXPLORE the politics, culture
and personalities of the Civil War
for hands-on learning
A resource packet for classroom or homeschooling.
$30.00 post paid
Make check out to:  Glenn Rowe
29 W 680 Cape Ave
West Chicago, IL 60185

Or check out our website which has an order form & additional product options




     The ten page TEACHER's GUIDE sets forth teaching goals and guides the teacher in helping the students use the 22 reproduction patriotic envelopes to explore this significant period of conflict.  Through these reproduction popular works of art the students will explore "What is this envelope saying?" and "Why would people of the 1860s think that?"  The envelopes become puzzles which the students handle and investigate through the questions associated with each Unit.  
Use these reproduction Civil War envelopes to:
1.  Help students explore hopes & fears of the North and South
2.  Strengthen their analytical & research skills
3.  Develop an understanding of the importance of letter writing for keeping connected during the conflict
4.  Enter into the hearts and minds of the individuals caught up in this time of hatred, sadness and drastic cultural upheaval.

     Example excerpt from the guide:  "CS 1 [envelope] is an early war Confederate envelope printed in Charleston, SC.  Note the positive use of the snake symbol.  In the North, the snake symbol was quickly turned into a negative image . . .  . But in this CS cover the artist points back to the Revolutionary War. . . .  Both sides appeal to history for justification of their political positions. . . ."  Information about the design and text is given.  Information about US and CS and CS Early War Provisional postage is also included.  The Teacher guide has 11 different Study Units: 
  1. Secession (1 CS envelope/ 1 US envelope)
  2. South Carolina Spark of Secession (1 CS/ 1 US)
  3. Appeal for Historical Justification (1 CS/ 1 US)
  4. Southern Defiance (2 CS)
  5. Northern Early War Heroes (3 US)
  6. Confidence and Failure (1 CS/ 1 US)
  7. Union Leaders (2 US)
  8. Jefferson Davis:  Hero, Villain or Loser (1 CS/ 2 US)
  9. Home Front (1 US/ 1 CS)
  10. The Melting Pot Effect of the War (1 Irish envelope)
  11. Christianity, the Elephant in the Room (1 envelope with Peace Dove & Scripture quote)
     The four page student STUDY QUESTIONS GUIDE, after introducing the importance of letter writing during the war (using the 2 plain envelopes with war era stamps),  helps them explore each unit through the use of questions.  The level of research will vary with the age of the students.
     Example from the Study Questions:    Using the Confederate envelope Unite or Die
          Why would the South pick a snake to represent their struggle against Northern Aggression?
                  [yes "Northern Aggression" reflects the Southern attitude, which should help the teacher raise
                        discussion about the Northern vs. Southern perspectives on secession]
          What is the value of claiming to act like the founding Fathers who revolted against England?
          How many states does the artist hope will join the Confederacy?
          How many states actually joined?
          Why didn't all the states listed on the envelope secede from the Union?    etc.

     The LETTER WRITING PROJECT gives instructions on setting up a letter writing project where students assume the role of soldier/family member teams and then write and exchange a series of letters covering major events of the war.  Guidance is included in setting up an 1860s biography, determining what topics might be in such letters etc.  Also included are sample transcripts of civil war letters.
     You can use the envelopes included with this Resource Teaching Packet to do the letter writing project with your students.  Or optional US and CS Letter Writing Packets are available for purchase which will be tailored to the family biography your students have created.  Below is an example of a US stationery mix and the accompanying chronological guide for using them in the letter exchange.


     Questions are welcome on this.  Contact info on website or email:  roweclanhaversack @ yahoo.com . Vicki home schooled our children and always enjoyed hands on projects to supplement the textbooks.