Battle Cry of Freedom:
One subject I have really enjoyed reading about in the book is the justifications put forth from the Southern perspective for secession. I also learned quite a bit about Ft. Sumter and Pres. Lincolns options in respect to the advice he had received from others concerning the resupply of the fort. I think i will get a set of those old "Rock' em Sock'em Robots and have the students play with them a bit and draw some parallel to the idea of strategies used to draw FIRST BLOOD!
I could also use them in respect to Pres. Lincolns' desire for finding a general that could actually deliver a KNOCKOUT BLOW for the North!! It might make for a good tie to comparing McClellan and Lee . I found the struggle over finding capable generals quite interesting and informative. James McPherson has helped me with great quotes and information to use in the classroom!