Ken Burns in the Classroom: Great Civil War Teaching Resources

by | May 29, 2025 | Education, Latest News, teaching, US History | 0 comments

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Ken Burns has some amazing resources for teaching the Civil War. His film is 9 episodes with over 11 hours of footage. This is an incredible amount of information. Ken Burns in the Classroom has created some great resources for teachers. These are divided into the following grade levels: Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and consists of the following categories: Video (18), Media Gallery (15), Image (15), Lesson Plan (6), Document (1) 

Even with the work Ken Burns and his team have done to create the resources for educators,  the material can STILL be overwhelming. We will look at each category separately and share some thoughts and ideas on how to use it in class.

 The resources fall into the following categories:

  1. Lesson Plan (6): These lesson plans are ready to use. Since these are the easiest to share with students, we recommend that teachers familiarize themselves with lessons first. Select the ones that are most appropriate for the curriculum and students. We have used the Civil War Letters as a reading activity. We created a set of questions to go along with the letters.
  2. Document (1): There is only one document. It is great to share with older students to show how following a passion leads to incredible outcomes. The document also provides insight into the creative process of Ken Burns. Ken Burns on “Why I Decided to Make The Civil War” (Document / 3 pages)
  3. Video (18): The videos contain an incredible amount of information, even though many are short in length. We recommend that a teacher create a transcript of the video. Once the transcript is complete, the teacher can use the material for a slideshow, to create a primary source worksheet, and to develop writing prompts for class discussion.
  4. Media Gallery (15)  / Images (15): The images are amazing and can be graphic, so a teacher needs to preview the material to determine what is appropriate for the students in the class. The easiest way to use in the class is to project the gallery on the whiteboard and view the images in the media gallery. The other option is to create a slideshow of the images and include the descriptions. Teachers can make the slides interactive and have students answer questions and prompts throughout the slideshow.

Here is a breakdown of the content. 

Full Program & Making the Film

  1. Ken Burns on “Why I Decided to Make The Civil War” (Document / 3 pages) This is a great introduction to why film producers choose their topics
    1. Writing Prompt / Class Discussion “I finished reading a book that literally changed my life.” Select a book that has had the greatest impact on your life. Explain how you came upon the book and how the book changed you.  
    2. Writing Prompt / Class Discussion In many ways, each film I have made asks one deceptively simple question: “Who are we Americans as a people?” Have students answer the above question.
  2. Recounting America’s Greatest Stories: A Conversation with Ken Burns (Video 1:01:23) This is a great resource to watch as a teacher prepares units and lessons. It is long and might be best to be watched during the summer. Teachers can select clips to share with students. 

Causes of the War: Video (2)

  1. 1850 – 1860 A House Divided Ken Burns (Video 3:16) (June 16, 1858) These short clips are packed with great images and information. Videos often include lesson objectives and key vocabulary. For this section, the vocabulary includes –  Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott. Additional resources Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Handouts. The video at times may sto, sto a teachers should be ready to restart it. It can happen at 0:38, 1:18, 1:38):
  2. 1860 Secessionitis (video 3:20) Key Vocabulary: Abraham Lincoln, Election of 1860, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Abolitionist, Secession. Additional resources Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions.

Leaders, Battles & Events: Video (7), Media Gallery (11), Image (11), Lesson Plan (2)

  1. April 12, 1861 Fort Sumter (video 2:35) Confederate gunners fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. Fort Sumter fell 34 hours later. It was a bloodless opening to the bloodiest war in American history. 
  2. April 12, 1861 Civil War Battles: Fort Sumter (Media Gallery / 2 images)
  3. A Thousand Mile Front (video 3:27) Key Vocabulary: George McCellan Union Confederacy Additional resources: Discussion Questions.
  4. Civil War Battles: Richmond (Media Gallery / 9 images)
  5. September 17, 1862 Civil War Battles: Antietam (Media Gallery / 7 images) 
  6. Civil War Battles: Charleston and South Carolina (Media Gallery / 4 images) 
  7. July 3, 1863 The Battle of Gettysburg (video 8:21) Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.
  8. July 3, 1863 The Battle of Gettysburg (Media Gallery 12 resources)
  9. November 19, 1863 The Gettysburg Address (video 5:05). Additional resources Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions, and Handouts. Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.
  10. Late May, 1864, The Battle of Cold Harbor (video 4:37)
  11. Civil War Battles: Petersburg (Media Gallery 7 resources)
  12. Sherman’s March: (video 10:51) 
  13. Sherman’s March (Lesson Plan) Additional resources Support Materials for Teachers: Background Reading, Educator Handout, Support Material for Students: Student Handout
  14. Civil War Battles: Atlanta (Media Gallery 6 resources)
  15. Lee and Grant at Appomattox (Lesson Plan) 
  16. Appomattox: (video 11:07) 
  17. Civil War Armament and Artillery (Media Gallery 13 resources)
  18. USS Monitor, Iron-Clad Gunboats, and the Federal Navy (Media Gallery 6 resources)
  19. Abraham Lincoln: Political & Family Photographs: (Media Gallery 8 resources) 
  20. Leaders and Generals (Media Gallery 20 resources) 

Experiences of the War: Lesson Plan (3), Video (3), Media Gallery (4), Image (4)

  1. African-American Troops and Robert Gould Shaw of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Support Materials for Teachers ACTIVITY African-American Troops (Activity) | The Civil War | Educator Handout Support Materials for Use with Students ACTIVITY African-American Troops (Activity) | The Civil War | Student Handout
  2. Bottom Rail on Top: (video 7:50) 
  3. Civil War Music Support Materials for Teachers ACTIVITY Civil War Music (Activity) | The Civil War | Educator Handout Support Materials for Use with Students ACTIVITY Civil War Music (Activity) | The Civil War | Student Handout
  4. Civil War Letters Support Materials for Use with Students HANDOUTS Civil War Letters: Sullivan Ballou Letter and Background Civil War Letters: Video Viewing Graphic Organizer Civil War Letters: Becoming a Civil War Letter Writing Correspondent Civil War Letters: Assessment Rubric
  5. Traitors and Patriots (video 13:01) 
  6. Honorable Manhood (video 13:25) 
  7. Life During the War (Media Gallery 11 resources)
  8. Civil War Infantry, Troops, Regiments, and Reserves (Media Gallery 16 resources)
  9. Civil War Band and Drum Corps (Media Gallery 8 resources)

Consequences & Commemoration

  1. Magnitude of the Civil War (video 3:35) 
  2. Lessons from the Civil War (video 5:09) 
  3. Lincoln’s Troubled Re-Election (video 4:46)
  4. The 13th Amendment (video 3:24)
  5. The 75th Anniversary of Gettysburg: 1938 (video 3:09)

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