📖

Total War: Sherman's March

The Home Front and War's End

Day 47of 180
Week 10of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the concept of total war

2

Analyze military strategies during the Civil War

3

Reflect on the moral complexities of warfare

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 16:7

“When a man's ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

— Proverbs 16:7 (WEB)

Demonstrates how God can bring peace even in conflict

📦 Materials Needed

  • Map of Georgia
  • Civil War era photographs
  • Notebook
  • Colored pencils
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Display map of Georgia and explain General Sherman's strategic march

💭 Review Question: What do you know about war strategies?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explain total war concept and Sherman's approach of destroying military and economic resources

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Purpose of total war strategy
  • Impact on civilian populations
  • Long-term consequences of military tactics
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Was Sherman's approach justified?
  • How might military leaders balance military objectives with humanitarian concerns?
3Activity: War Strategy Debate (10 min)
discussion

Students role-play different perspectives on Sherman's march

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide class into groups
  2. Assign different perspectives
  3. Debate military strategy and ethical considerations
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher guides discussion more closely

Challenge: Students research additional historical sources

4Closing (5 min)

Summarize lesson's key points

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was total war?
  • How did Sherman's march affect the Civil War?
🙏 Prayer:

Lord, help us understand the complexities of conflict and pursue peace.

Coming up: Next lesson: Grant and Lee at Appomattox

💎 Memory Verse

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”

— Matthew 5:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Peace Maker Poster

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Lesson explores complex military strategy during Civil War

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage empathy
  • Discuss war's human cost
  • Emphasize biblical principles of peace
🤔 Common Struggles:

Understanding war's moral complexity

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Thoughtful reflection on military strategy

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create timeline of Sherman's march
  • Write a soldier's diary entry
  • Research total war in other historical conflicts

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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