About the inquiry

Students will examine eighteen telegrams to learn more about troop movements, battles, victories, and defeats, as well as other information communicated in telegrams in order to respond to the compelling question, “What do telegrams tell us about the Battle of Gettysburg?” The range of telegrams in this inquiry allows students to examine different perspectives on events related to the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. The final summative assessment asks students to make an argument about how Union military leaders used telegram messages during the battle.

Compelling Question

What do telegrams tell us about the Battle of Gettysburg?

Staging Question

Analyze the Civil War map from 1861. Discuss battles in various regions and how the communication of battles, victories, and defeats in 1861 compares to how communication regarding war occurs today.

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, or essay) that discusses how telegrams were used to communicate about activities in the battle using specific claims and relevant evidence from historical sources, while acknowledging competing views.

Extension: Using a digital media tool, design an informational visual illustrating the messages communicated via telegram during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Taking Informed Action

No data found.