Educator's Guide: The Arts: Mural of the Siege

Classroom Activities:

  • Art
  • Social Studies

Grades:

  • 4- 12

Objectives:

Students will demonstrate a knowledge of persons, places and events related to the Siege of Vicksburg by painting scenes of the Siege in chronological order

Materials:

  • Approximately 5'x 5' white paper or newspaper print.
  • Paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Pencils
  • Tape

Background:

Since ancient times great battles have been sculpted on temples or painted on walls. This was a way to communicate a culture's history into the future. The Civil War was no exception. Artists and soldiers alike drew sketches of battles and camplife. These drawings often appeared in newspapers. But many drawings can only be found in the personal diaries of those who were there.

Methods:

Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group an aspect of the Siege of Vicksburg. Have students research and paint the event on a banner. Have the groups join the banners together in a artistic and logical sequence to create a mural of the Siege of Vicksburg.

Possible aspects:

  • Confederate and/or Union Lines
  • Cave Life
  • Union Assaults on the fortified lines
  • Camplife
  • City life
  • Gunboats
  • Bombardment of the City
  • The explosion under Third Louisiana Redan
  • Orion P. Howe 14 year old Medal of Honor recipient

Last updated: April 14, 2015

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3201 Clay Street
Vicksburg, MS 39183

Phone:

601 636-0583

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