Civil War 150th Anniversary Observed Locally

Rockwood School District's eighth grade American history teachers indicate they believe it is critical that students get a close encounter with what occurred during one of the most notable eras in U.S. history:  the American Civil War. With this year being the 150th anniversary of the war, observations of this milestone are springing up around the nation, including the chance for local students to take a step back in time.

Each of the district's six middle schools scheduled field trips for eighth grade students to a Civil War re-enactment at Beaumont Boy Scout Reservation near High Ridge, MO. (See schedule at the end of this article.) In today's Eureka-Wildwood Patch yesterday's Civil War Days field trip by students was featured.

While at the re-enactment event, students move through eight stations that highlight major facts about living through the Civil War days.

The field trip complements the curriculum now under way in eighth grade classrooms:  the causes, the events and the results of The American Civil War.

Rhonda Kloeppel, eighth grade history teacher at LaSalle Springs, said she thinks the biggest benefit of the trip is that students will have a better understanding of the many facets of the Civil War, such as the increased capabilities of weapons, the more organized strategies for fighting with many similarities as they were both U.S.-trained militia, the impact of President Abraham Lincoln, the medical help, women's roles, and the truth about slavery.

"Seeing students engaged in the topic throughout the day is a teacher's favorite part," said Kloeppel.

She said LaSalle Springs eighth graders have explored the life of slaves in class, and are just beginning to look at the causes of the war.

Edward Washington, eighth grade American History teacher at Rockwood South, said he believes these Civil War days are vital to demonstrating to students how people's lives, and American history, were affected by this time period. He said he enjoys the cavalry portion the most.

Washington said the students' favorite part of the re-enactment day is typically "the slave lady almost every time."

He said he would like Rockwood parents and others who cannot attend themselves to know how great it is for Rockwood students to experience this kind of presentation that directly connects to their classroom learning.

"I believe the most important thing that students will take away is a glimpse into what life was like for the various groups of people that participated in the war," said Barrett Robinson, eighth grade history teacher at , who said his favorite part also was the African American experience.

He said the added value by experiences, such as the Civil War field trip, is really important to students' overall education.