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272 Pearl Street NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
616.456.3977grpm.org
Thank God for MichiGanStories from the Civil War
online classroom activityCivil War Slang – Letter Home
Grade Level
2nd -5th
Michigan Education Standards Met (select)
• 2nd – R.WS.02.11, W.PR.02.06-07, W.GR.02.01, W.HW.02.01,
W.AT.02.01, H2.0.3
• 3rd – R.WS.03.08, W.GN.03.01-05, W.GR.03.01, W.SP.03.01,
W.HW.03.01, W.AT.03.01
• 4th – R.WS.04.07, W.PR.04.03-05, W.GR.04.01, W.SP.04.01,
W.HW.04.01, W.AT.04.01
• 5th – R.WS.05.07, W.PR.05.03-05, W.GR.05.01, W.SP.05.01,
W.HW.05.01, W.AT.05.01
activity Background
Though unknown by many, the Civil War era was a time in which
many of our modern slang terms were coined. Phrases like “mind your
beeswax,” “been through the mill,” “fit as a fiddle,” and “bread
basket” are just a few that originated around this time.
Understanding the meaning of such phrases enables us to better
interpret primary sources from the Civil War era, which helps
create a clearer picture of daily life during the war.
activity description
Understanding how Civil War slang was used in context is
educational and fun. In this activity students will learn slang
terms from the Civil War and then compose their own letter as a
soldier writing home or as a person writing to a soldier. To begin,
students will examine a vocabulary list and memorize some Civil War
slang. If desired, a small quiz could be given over the vocabulary.
Students will then read, or be read, a letter from the Civil War in
order to comprehend the way in which Civil War era syntax
functioned. Once the students comprehend the assignment, have them
write a letter that incorporates a fixed number of slang terms
while attempting to stay true to the syntax of Civil War era
writing.
Students will review Civil War era slang, and apply it to their
own letters home.
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Procedure
• Print off the vocabulary list and quiz for the appropriate
grade level; print off the desired number of Civil War era letters
for reading (materials section)
• Have students review the vocabulary
• Distribute the appropriate vocabulary quiz or complete a
review in class
• Have students read, or read to them, a letter from the Civil
War era
• Once the students understand the style of Civil War writing,
have them write a letter as a soldier writing home, or as a person
writing to a soldier, which incorporates a fixed number of slang
terms and attempts to stay true to the style of Civil War writing;
allow time for the students to draft their letter
• After the students have finished writing, allow them to
exchange their letters in small groups for the purpose of peer
editing
• After revising their letters, have the students turn in the
assignment
Materials
• Vocabulary List
• Vocabulary Quiz
• Rebecca Richmond Letters
Vocabulary List 2nd -5th
1.) Been through the mill - had a bad day
2.) Blow hard - big-shot or braggart
3.) Bluff - cheater
4.) Bread basket - stomach
5.) Chin music - conversation
6.) Diggings - camp
7.) Duds - clothing
8.) Fit as a fiddle - feeling healthy
9.) Fresh fish - new recruit
10.) Greenbacks - money
11.) Hoof it - to march on foot
12.) Housewife - sewing kit for soldiers
13.) Parley - meeting or conference
14.) Skedaddle - to run away
15.) Worm castle - hardtack (bread soldiers ate)
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Vocabulary Quiz
1.) Been through the mill
_________________________________________________________
2.) Blow hard
__________________________________________________________________
3.) Bread basket
________________________________________________________________
4.) Fit as a fiddle
________________________________________________________________
5.) Fresh fish
___________________________________________________________________
6.) Worm castle
_________________________________________________________________
7.) Parley
______________________________________________________________________
8.) Skedaddle
___________________________________________________________________
9.) Duds
_______________________________________________________________________
10.) Diggings
____________________________________________________________________
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Pages from rebecca richmond’s diary.
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