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 The idea behind the Civil War Walk was based on a cemetery walk.
In the cemetery scenario, visitors follow a map or are led through a
cemetery. The grave stones of significant local figures are marked,
and historical performers portray the person with a short monologue
of the person’s life.
Kate Ewing, a fifth grade teacher at Washington-Monroe, said, “I
a.m. always searching for something new to try in my classroom and
the premise behind a cemetery walk was the perfect way for students
to learn about the Civil War and the people who played a part in the
events surrounding it.”
Ewing happened to mention her idea at a grade level meeting, and
Marsha Dallas, District Curriculum Director, suggested that the
Civil War Walk would be a great opportunity for the fifth grade
classes to collaborate. Rebecca Bailey, fifth grade at Central
School, suggested contacting the Lincoln Heritage Museum to see if
students could perform there.
 After studying the Civil War in social studies, students chose a
person they wanted to portray. They spent 2 weeks researching the
life and important role their historical figure played during the
Civil War. Once their research was done, students had the choice of
writing a two-minute monologue or collaborating with classmates on a
reader’s theater.
Students worked very hard fine-tuning their speeches. Many of the
classes performed for other grade levels in their schools prior to
performing at the museum. The goal of this project was to provide
students with an opportunity to work on research skills and public
speaking.
Students showed how much they enjoyed this opportunity to shine in
the a.m.ount of effort and pride they took in their performances.
“My students impressed me every day with their knowledge of the time
period and the people they were researching,” said Kate Ewing.
“Researching what people wore in the 1860’s added another layer of
understanding. I think being in costume made it even more real to my
students.”
Ginger Yeazle, Principal at Washington-Monroe, was very excited to
see the students become so engaged in the curriculum. “I believe
students will carry this learning far beyond the assessment process.
This will be an experience they won't soon forget,” said Mrs. Yeazle.
Anne Moseley, Assistant Director of the Lincoln Heritage Museum (LHM),
was a great source of help both setting up the museum for the actual
event, and also as a classroom visitor. Mrs. Moseley, a talented
living history performer, ca.m.e to Washington-Monroe and performed
as a maid in the Lincoln home. She was dressed in period wardrobe
and showed the students how to perform in character. She will be
visiting classrooms again to help this year’s crop of performers get
into character.
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 Tom McLaughlin, Director of LHM, had the opportunity to come to
the Civil War Walk last year before he took on the role of director.
He was very impressed with how well the students did and is
extremely excited to have the students back again to perform this
year. “Being a part of educating students and visitors about
Abraha.m. Lincoln is why we are here,” McLaughlin added.
Last year’s visitors included parents, grandparents, Lincoln Woman’s
Club, the DAR, Rotary and local nursing home residents. Several
tourists who were visiting Lincoln were pleasantly surprised by the
special event.
The fifth grade teachers and museum staff are hoping to have an even
bigger crowd this year. Courtney Snow, fifth grade teacher at
Washington-Monroe said, “I like having the public get a chance to
see what we are doing in our classrooms.”
This year’s performances will be on Friday, March 11th. Northwest
fifth graders perform from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.,
Washington-Monroe students perform from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.,
and Central students will perform from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m..
Visitors will again have a chance to meet Lincoln, Grant, Lee,
Tubman, as well as many others, and listen to the Civil War
experiences of Union and Confederate troops.
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