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American Centuries > Lessons > History Lessons By Teachers > The War of 1812

The War of 1812

Details

Author
Cyndy Hardaker
Topic/Subject Area
Military, Wars, Battles
Historical Era
The New Nation, 1784–1815
Grade Level
Elementary (K–5)
Creation Date
2007
Last Revision Date
2024

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About This Lesson

Summary and Objective

Students will understand that the War of 1812 had several effects on the New Nation, one of which was a strong sense of nationalism (devotion to one’s nation, or country). Upon examining a photograph of a creamware pitcher commemorating the War of 1812, students will conduct research on the items/individuals depicted and write a summary paragraph of their findings.

Materials & Resources

Collection Items
Websites

Teaching Plan

  1. PRIMARY SOURCE ACTIVITY: In whole group discussion, ask students how people remember important events or vacations? (Take photographs/movies, buy souvenirs or commemorative objects, and keep something special from the event or vacation).
  2. Divide students into groups of six and distribute copies of the War of 1812 Commemorative Pitcher image. Provide all three views of the pitcher for students to examine.
  3. Students work cooperatively to identify and record the following information: Who and what do they see pictured? (Captain Isaac Hull of the Constitution; Captain Jacob Jones of the Macedonian; an eagle with a banner running through its mouth that reads “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, a horn, the word AMERICA, etc.)
  4. MINI-RESEARCH: Students are asked to research the items identified and to determine their significance or connection to each other. Each group can roll a die to help determine who assumes the responsibility of researching each figure/item.
    • 1 = USS Constitution
    • 2 = USS Macedonian
    • 3 = Captain Isaac Hull
    • 4 = Captain Jacob Jones
    • 5 = the bald eagle (our national bird)
    • 6 = “E Pluribus Unum”
  5. Students are asked to present a summary of their findings in paragraph form. The paragraphs can be glued to a cube along with pictures from the creamware pitcher so that it may be displayed in the classroom.