Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
In addition, the students learned about the man we know as Dr. Seuss. Ask your child to share some of the facts he or she learned in our Web Quest.
The Civil War Ends
In addition, we heard about the compassion of Clara Barton who cared for the wounded soldiers during the war. Discuss with your child what it means to be compassionate. Talk about ways for your child to be helpful to those around him/her, even when it isn’t easy. Whenever there is mention in the news of the work of the Red Cross, ask your child who founded the American Red Cross.
Also, students learned about Robert E. Lee, who was torn by his loyalty to the United States and his home state of Virginia. Ask your child why he finally decided to serve as a General in the Confederate Army. And, we learned about a commander of the Union Army named Ulysses S. Grant. President Lincoln put General Grant in charge of the entire Union Army because General Grant promised that he would do whatever it took to win; he would chase General Robert E. Lee and his army all over Virginia, and he would not stop until the war was finished. This outlook earned him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender,” because he would accept nothing less from the Confederate Army than a complete surrender.
Finally on April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee offered his sword to Ulysses S. Grant and surrendered the remainder of his Confederate Army. The Rebel soldiers laid down their weapons, made oaths to give up the rebellion and never fight against the United States again, and walked home. At last, the long Civil War was ended, and the North had won. It was time to return home, rest, and rebuild the nation. It had taken four long years, but the United States was on its way to being united.