Great Civil War Projects You Can Build Yourself

by Maxine Anderson

Overview

From periscopes and lean-to shelters to uniforms and regimental flags, this interactive book explores the history and inventions of the Civil War through building projects and activities. Finished products include a set of Civil War drums, secret codes, and homemade paper with berry ink. Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for each project are interspersed with historical facts, biographies, anecdotes, and trivia about the real-life models. Most of the building can be done using simple household supplies such as construction paper, tape, markers, glue, cardboard tubes, string, yarn, aluminum foil, and cardboard boxes. This new edition celebrates the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War with substantially revised text and updated activities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936749461
Publisher:	Nomad Press
Publication date:	04/01/2012
Series:	Build It Yourself Series
Edition description:	Second edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	IG1060L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Maxine Anderson is the author of Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself, Explore Spring!, and Explore Winter! She lives in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Editorial Reviews

"The information presented in each chapter is solid and the activities should provide an engaging means for children to learn about the Civil War."

Children's Literature

"A clever way to introduce kids to the Civil War or encourage a youngster's burgeoning interest."

America's Civil War

Providing an intriguing look at Civil War history, this project guide teases the mind and invites the creative hand to draw, cut, glue, and arrange cast-off items into models of period memorabilia. Possible projects for display or use in a pageant include a signal flag cut from a pillowcase, an ironclad ship shaped from a milk carton, and a regimental drum created out of a coffee, oatmeal, or nut cylinder. The focus on positive elements—band music, camp food, telegraphy—deflects student interest from ordnance and violence. A variety of topics—lanterns, periscopes, dolls, lean-tos—appeals to boys and girls. Ancillary materials include patterns for quilt squares and kepi, a glossary of 44 period terms, and a list of current reference works and websites. The index lists specific battles, male and female innovators and leaders, institutions, ships, and philosophies. This work is an idea trove. KLIATT Codes: P—Recommended. 2005, Nomad Press, 140p. illus. bibliog. index., Ages adult.
—Mary Ellen Snodgrass

KLIATT

Gr 5-8-This interesting collection of projects is divided into two sections: "On the Battlefield" and "On the Homefront." Subsections include "Bands and Music" and "Soldiers' Food"; they contain background information and two or three projects. Although this is not a comprehensive history of the war, Anderson includes little-known facts that will interest children unfamiliar with the conflict and Civil War buffs alike. The more than three dozen projects and recipes range from simple to quite difficult. Readers learn how to make a lean-to, a quilt, a working telegraph, and more. Most of the required materials are household items or are easily obtainable at a hardware store. The instructions are complete, but are illustrated with only gray-and-white drawings. Some of the same activities are found in Janis Herbert's The Civil War for Kids (Chicago Review, 1999), which offers a more complete history, but has fewer projects. A useful resource for any Civil War curriculum.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

The New York Times Book Review
“. . . a fascinating gem of a book.” ­

James McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom
“An interesting and creative book that should give pleasure as well as knowledge to many children.”

Cobblestone Magazine
“Great Civil War Projects You Can Build Yourself does something unique.”

Children’s Literature Review
“An engaging means for children to learn about the Civil War.”

School Library Journal
“Includes little-known facts that will interest children unfamiliar with the conflict and Civil War buffs alike . . . A useful resource for any Civil War Curriculum.”

From the Publisher