Lesson Plan - The Barbara Frietchie Story – Fact or Fiction?

An Educational Lesson Plan for U.S. History to 1877 ~ Civil War

Lesson contributed by Mona McClanahan of Smarts Mill Middle School, Fall 2007, NVCC Scholar

ON THIS PAGE
»	Overview
»	Objectives
»	Materials
»	Pre-visit Activities
»	On-site Activities

Overview:
Barbara Frietchie’s story has been immortalized in plays, poems, and local lore. The story relates that a 96 year old widow draped the Union flag from her window as Confederate troops rode by. Stonewall Jackson saw the display and ordered his troops to shoot the flag. Frietchie is reported to have said, “Shoot if you must, but spare your country’s flag.” Such bravery and patriotism deserve a place in history. But is this event historically accurate?

This lesson is designed to be part of a field experience to Frederick, MD where students visit the Barbara Frietchie Candy Stick Restaurant, the Barbara Frietchie Museum and Barbara Frietchie gravesite. It could also be incorporated into a classroom setting.

Student Objectives  

1. Read and analyze poetry related to historic events
2. Evaluate the merits of primary vs. secondary sources when interpreting historic events
3. Distinguish between legend and historical accuracy
4. Defend oral arguments using data from primary and secondary sources
5. Develop logic and reasoning skills while defending ideas related to a historical question.

Materials:

1. Barbara Freitchie by John Greenleaf Whittier
   The Historical Basis of Whittier’s “Barbara Frietchie” by George O.   Seilheimer.
2. The Real Barbara Frietchie New York Time Editorial October 25,
   1899 by Jesse W.Reno
   
3. KWL Chart
4. Paper and colored pencils

Pre-visit Activities

• Print the poetry, articles and KWL chart listed in the Materials section above.
• Place the poem in Envelope #1 and the two articles in Envelope #2.  Envelopes will be distributed to children during the field experience.
• Bring sufficient paper and colored pencils for student participants.

On-site Activities

1. Visit the Barbara Frietchie Candy Stick Restaurant. (1513 W Patrick St Frederick, MD 21702 301-662-2500. 
   1. Open Envelope #1 to reveal poem, Barbara Frietchie, by John Greenleaf Whittier.
   2. Read and analyze poem. Summarize events of the poem.
   3. While waiting for food, illustrate poem.
   4. Eat and enjoy the food.
   5. Complete graphic organizer - What I Know; What I Want to Know; Leave What I Learned blank.
2. Continue to the next destination, the Barbara Frietchie Museum. (154 W Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701 301-698-0630.
   1. Meet with the docents for a presentation and a question and answer session. Add information learned to the What I Learned section of graphic organizers.
3. Travel to Barbara Frietchie’s gravesite.
   1. Ask students to open the 2nd envelope and read the articles enclosed.
   2. Add information gathered from articles to What I Learned section of the graphic organizer.
   3. Write a response to one of the following statements. Be sure to support ideas with at least three reasons extracted from the primary and secondary documents reviewed throughout the day. 
      • The Barbara Frietchie story is a legend.
        Or
      • The Barabara Frietchie story is historically accurate.

Tying It All Together  

• Discuss how literature has shaped history.
• Discuss the need for heroes in history.
• Discuss the value of primary versus secondary sources when interpreting events in history.

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