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North Star Academy (NSA) 5th-graders had the opportunity to go beyond reading about and discussing the Civil War in class to experiencing it on a makeshift battlefield at Chatfield State Park in Littleton.

With the help of You Can Live History, a Denver-based nonprofit, 78 NSA students, along with their peers from Westgate Elementary, Platte River Academy and Ben Franklin Academy, dressed up as Union and Confederate soldiers to re-enact the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg in early March. Civil War reenactments are almost as old as the war itself, with the first recorded reenactment occurring in 1861. Since then, the purpose has evolved from recruiting new soldiers to a form of living history. For NSA 5th-graders, it is an opportunity to re-create pivotal moments in a war that helped shape our country.

North Star uses the Core Knowledge curriculum which identifies the specific core of shared knowledge children should learn while establishing strong foundations of knowledge grade by grade from preschool through 8th grade, according to the Core Knowledge Foundation website. Students touch on the Civil War in 2nd grade learning general information and providing a foundation that sets them up for success in 5th grade when students delve deeper into the topic. Each year, NSA 5th-grade students have the opportunity to learn about a specific Civil War battle culminating in a reenactment of that battle which provides them with a more meaningful perspective of what it was like to be a Civil War soldier.

We have students participate in the re-enactment because it provides them with a hands-on opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the things they are learning inside the classroom, said NSA 5th-grade teacher Mike Doyle. This is a great way to teach history and end our unit on the Civil War with the kids experiencing what the life of a soldier at this time may have been like.

Students were assigned roles portraying Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers, Generals and other battlefield positions. They dressed in uniforms complete with flags, fake guns, swords and cannons while playing drums and hauling covered wagons as they marched into battle. Front fire: Ready? Aim, yelled a volunteer for You Can Live History. The mock battle ensued with young soldiers charging forward in the snow and mud as they valiantly fought to uphold their positions.

The re-enactment was so awesome! We stomped through many feet of mud. This field trip showed many of us how the soldiers persevered in harsh conditions, said NSA 5th-grader Annie Cecil. We also learned marching commands, how to hold a weapon, and fight against the enemy. Many stories from the Civil War era and from the Soldiers point of view were told in great detail. There were many brave men who fought for the freedom we all sometimes forget.

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Fifth-Graders at North Star Academy Go Back in Time to Experience the Civil War - The Know