
The Civil War: From the Front Lines to the Front Pages
Students see how technology affected news coverage and public perception of the Civil War, then create their own front pages with breaking news, maps and telegrams.
What you'll learn
Explore how technological breakthroughs revolutionized news coverage of the Civil War. Learn about journalists’ roles, goals and methods for getting battlefield information to the public. Students then take on the role of editors at Civil War-era newspapers and complete their own front pages, with the use of maps, engravings and telegraph messages. They experience firsthand the practical and ethical challenges journalists encountered back then.
- 4-12
Free, with admission
- Learning Center (max 36)
Classes at the Newseum: Classes must be requested at least one week in advance. Please be advised that your preferred date may not be available, so have at least two dates in mind. We recommend arriving at the Newseum at least than 15 minutes before your scheduled class time.
This class requires a minimum of 12 students and a maximum of 36 students in the Learning Center classroom. Groups larger than class capacity will be assigned staggered class times based on your group’s window of availability. We appreciate hands-on assistance from chaperones when needed.
When a school fails to appear for its scheduled Newseum class, it prevents other schools from using that slot. Please notify us at least one week in advance if you must cancel your reservation.
Assistance (e.g. ASL interpretation, assistive listening, description) for programs/tours can be arranged with at least seven business days’ notice. Please contact AccessUs at AccessUs@newseum.org or by calling 202/292-6453.
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NCSS C3 Framework: D2.His.4.6-8 and D2.His.4.9-12
6 - 8: Analyze multiple factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras. 9 - 12. Analyze complex and interacting factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras.
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National Center for History in the Schools: NCHS.US History.Era 5
Standard 1: The causes of the Civil War. Standard 2: The course and character of the Civil War and its effects on the American people Standard 3: How various reconstruction plans succeeded or failed
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NCSS Curriculum Standards: Topic 4, Standard 8C
The student understands changes in communication and their effects.
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