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Teach PA History
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Sgt. Humiston, Where are You?
What to Know
Teaching Time
Two 40-minute lessons
Grade Level
Elementary School
Disciplines
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
  • Geography
  • History
Historical Period
  • Civil War and Reconstruction - 1856-1876
This lesson focuses on the human interest story of Sgt. Amos Humiston who was found dead in Gettysburg, the picture of his three children clutched in his hand. Having no identification on his person, the soldier would have slipped from history unknown to many, except for the interest of a Philadelphian named Dr. Francis Bourne. He reproduced the children's picture in the form of carte de visites ("visiting cards") and circulated them in various communities along with newspaper articles requesting any information as a clue to the soldier's identity. After a month, the unfortunate news reached a woman living in New York named Philinda Humiston, who verified the picture as her children and sealed her fate as a widow. In this lesson, students learn background information about the Civil War, uncover Sgt. Humiston's identity using deductive reasoning and working with a transcript excerpt of the original Philadelphia Inquirer article. Once Amos Humiston is identified, they imagine they are his children and trace his whereabouts by mapping the 154th New York infantry movements. They interpret a letter written in the form of a poem to his wife, and as a culminating activity, they write a response letter to "their father." Incorporated in their letter, students convey an understanding of the war in which their father fought and its causes, the geographic places their father has been, and some of the emotional thoughts he must have been thinking.

Objectives

Students will: 1. read and interpret primary documents for detail 2. develop analytical reading and mapping skills 3. demonstrate geographic knowledge through written communication 4. write a letter conveying learned material about the Civil War and the people who fought it

Standards Alignment

  • Arts and Humanities

    9.2.5. D. Analyze a work of art from its historical and cultural perspective.
    9.2.5. D. Analyze a work of art from its historical and cultural perspective.
    9.2.5. E. Analyze how historical events and culture impact forms, techniques and purposes of works in the arts.
    9.2.5. F. Know and apply appropriate vocabulary used between social studies and arts and humanities.

  • Geography

    7.1.6. A. Describe geographic tools and their uses.
    7.1.6. B. Describe and locate places and regions.

  • History

    8.2.6. B. Identify and explain primary documents, material artifacts and historic sites important in Pennsylvania history from Beginnings to 1824
    8.3.6. B. Identify and explain primary documents, material artifacts and historic sites important in United States history from Beginnings to 1824.
    8.3.9. D. Identify and analyze conflict and cooperation among social groups and organizations in United States history from 1787 to 1914.

  • Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening

    1.2.5. A. Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.
    1.3.5. C. Describe how the author uses literary devices to convey meaning.
    1.3.5. F. Read and respond to nonfiction and fiction including poetry and drama.
    1.4.5. B. Write multi-paragraph informational pieces.

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