What Would Historians Write About Thomas Garber?

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Based on: Mason, C. L., & Carter, A. (1999). The Garbers: Using digital history to recreate a 19th-century family. Social Studies and the Young Learner, 11-14.

SOURCES Framework Analysis Sheet

Scrutinize the Fundamental Source(s)

     Thomas Garber to Addie Garber, August 15, 1862
     Essential Question - What Would Historians Write About Thomas Garber?
Organize Thoughts

     What do students know about the topic?

     KWL or Concept Map (Foldable)
  • What did you learn about Thomas Garber from reading this letter?
  • What does this tell you about the life of a Civil War soldier?
  • What else would you like to know about Thomas Garber?
  • How could you find the answers to these questions?
  • Do you think Thomas was afraid?
  • Do you think Thomas missed his family?
  • What do you think was Thomas' job in the army?
  • How old do you think Thomas was when he wrote this letter?
  • Was Thomas killed in the war?
  • Did Thomas have other brothers and sisters?
  • Who were Thomas' parents?
  • Was he afraid?
  • What was life like during the Civil War for the average family?

Understand the Context
     Children's literature
  • Pink and Say—by Patricia Polacco
  • Now or Never: 54th Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery—by Ray Anthony
  • Shepard
  • Soldier Song: A True Story of the Civil War—by Debbie Levy
  • John Lincoln Clem: Civil War Drummer Boy (Based on a True Story)—by E. F. Abbott
  • Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War led to Little Women—by Kathleen Krull
  • Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, A Civil War Hero—by Marissa Moss
  • The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg—by Rodman Philbrick
  • I’ll Pass for Your Comrade: Women Soldiers in the Civil War—by Anita Silvey
  • Two Girls of Gettysburg—by Lisa Klein
     Discussion
     Think, Pair, and Share
Read Between the Lines

     Thomas Garber to Addie Garber, August 15, 1862
     Guiding Questions
  • What more did you learn about Thomas Garber from rereading this letter?
  • What else would you like to know about Thomas Garber now?
  • Do you wonder where Thomas traveled during the American Civil War?
  • Did you consider whether he survived the war?
  • Do you think that Thomas was afraid or had fears related to serving in the Confederate army?
  • What are you thinking about the Garber family or individuals in the family?
  • How could you find the answers to these questions?

Corroborate and Refute

     1860 U.S. Population Census (p.#150) (Thomas)
     Asher Harman to Albert Garber, September 24, 1862       Thomas Garber to Albert Garber, September 25, 1862       Thomas Garber to Addie Garber, December 6, 1862       Thomas Garber to Albert Garber, April 15, 1863       Thomas Garber to Addie Garber, May 29, 1863
     M. G. Harman to Albert Garber, June 20, 1863
     1870 U.S. Population Census
      Lewis Harman to Addie Garber, July 20, 1863  
     Garber Letters
     Staunton Vindicator: July 3, 1863
     Staunton Vindicator: May 11, 1866
     The American Battlefield Trust: Upperville       Virginia Civil War Map of Battles 1863       Upperville - Trappe Road       Upperville Park       Battle of Upperville (Image)       Forty years of active service - By Charles Triplett O'Ferrall (p.79) upperville+thomas+garber&source=bl&ots=P1fzGPSbxB&sig=9IfG_dI7ywx5hehO
U6W6B-ZsJs4&hl=en&ei=4_TSTKmnE8qr8AbthNlk&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result
&resnum=8&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Thornrose Cemetary
Establish a Plausible Narrative

  • Create a historical marker for Thomas Garber at the location of the Battle of Upperville or in his hometown
  • Write a letter to a local historical society outlining why Thomas Garber should be remembered
  • Create a documentary film
  • Write a piece of children’s literature or a graphic novella

Summarize Final Thoughts

     Discussion
  • How do I know what I know?
  • What do historians do?
  • Did I replicate what historians might do?
  • What questions still exist?
  • Is it okay that questions still exist?
  • How might I answer questions that still exist?