Collection: Ken Burns Civil War Full Curriculum Unit Collection (5 Weeks, Grades 7–12)
Ken Burns Civil War Full Curriculum Unit Collection (5 Weeks, Grades 7–12)
This collection features a complete, CCSS-aligned Civil War curriculum unit built around the acclaimed PBS documentary. It is structured for five weeks of instruction and combines episode worksheets, auto-graded film quizzes, Readers Theater scripts, a detailed teacher guide, and a research-capstone packet. Use it for turnkey Civil War lesson plans, discussion-based history classes, and literacy-rich assessments in grades 7–12. Videos are not included; teachers must source the documentary separately.
What is included
- 9 editable Google Slides episode worksheets and auto-graded quizzes (E01–E09)
- 5 Readers Theater scripts with analysis packets, casting tables, and primary-source appendices
- 24-page teacher guide with pacing charts, differentiation tips, and grading weights
- Research-project packet with sign-up sheet and 50-point rubric
- Optional 50-question cumulative quiz for summative assessment
Why teach this unit
- Inquiry-rich Civil War program that turns viewing into active historical investigation
- Balances formative practice with a creative, research-driven finale
- Google-based files for flexible delivery in class or online
Weekly flow at a glance
- Week 1: Episodes 1–2 • Readers Theater performance Friday
- Week 2: Episodes 3–4 • Readers Theater 2
- Week 3: Episodes 5–6 • Readers Theater 3
- Week 4: Episodes 7–8 • Readers Theater 4 • research project launch
- Week 5: Episode 9 • Readers Theater 5 • student presentations Thursday–Friday
Classroom tips
- Print Slides two-up or four-up in grayscale to save ink
- Enable captions on the PBS stream to support multilingual learners
- Limit research groups to four per topic to diversify presentations
- Match Readers Theater roles to reading levels using the casting table
Standards alignment
- CCSS Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening anchors for secondary social studies
Keywords: Ken Burns Civil War lesson plans for middle and high school, PBS documentary worksheets and quizzes, Readers Theater scripts for history class, five week Civil War unit plan, Google Slides history activities, research project rubric and pacing guide, CCSS-aligned social studies assessments.
