Ken Burns Civil War Full Curriculum Unit

Why teach Ken Burns Civil War Full Curriculum Unit?

Ken Burns Civil War curriculum unit embeds the entire PBS documentary in an inquiry-rich, five-week learning arc. Students tackle nine film episodes with structured Google-Slides quizzes that spark evidence-based discussion. Weekly Readers-Theater performances voice primary sources and build fluency. The unit scaffolds vocabulary, analytical writing, and media literacy while balancing formative practice with a creative research finale. Google-based files make delivery seamless in class or online. Above all, this Ken Burns Civil War curriculum unit transforms passive viewing into active historical investigation.

Wondering if a turnkey Civil War program can blend film, drama, and research without extra prep?

What’s inside this Ken Burns Civil War curriculum unit

• 9 editable Google-Slides episode worksheets (E01–E09) with vocab, 8–10 chronological questions, and reflections
• 5 Readers-Theater packets (10–12 scenes each) plus casting tables, primary-source appendices, and analysis worksheets
• 24-page teacher guide: pacing charts, differentiation tips, grading weights
• Research-project packet, sign-up sheet, and 50-point rubric
• Optional 50-question cumulative quiz for summative assessment

Weekly flow at a glance

• Week 1: Episodes 1-2 • Readers-Theater performance Friday
• Week 2: Episodes 3-4 • Readers-Theater 2
• Week 3: Episodes 5-6 • Readers-Theater 3
• Week 4: Episodes 7-8 • Readers-Theater 4 • research project launch
• Week 5: Episode 9 • Readers-Theater 5 • student presentations Thu–Fri

Classroom tips

• Print Slides two-up or four-up in grayscale to save ink.
• Enable captions on the PBS stream to support multilingual learners.
• Limit research-project groups to four per topic to diversify presentations.
• Use the casting table to match Readers-Theater roles to student reading levels.

Why this bundle works

• Ready-to-teach— every doc is linked, editable, and internally consistent.
• Flexible delivery— digital or print, whole-class, small-group, or hybrid.
• Balanced assessment— weekly formative tasks plus a creative, research-driven summative project.
• Rich skills— vocabulary, evidence-based writing, media critique, public speaking, collaborative drama.
• Low prep— share the Slides, cue the PBS stream, and your Civil War journey is ready to roll.

Browse more film-quiz resources or Readers-Theater scripts to extend your classroom library.

FAQ

Disclaimer: This resource is independently created and is not endorsed by PBS or Florentine Films.