Activity 5:  The Battle of New Orleans (GLEs:  2, 62, 73, 77, 78)

Materials List:  map of the plains of Chalmette

Have students study a basic map of the plains of Chalmette and its proximity to the Mississippi River, Lake Borgne, Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans. Provide a scenario of the British battle plan for the invasion of New Orleans. Have students identify the physical features of the area and develop a battle plan (role play as military advisors to Jackson) to counter the anticipated British offensive. Have students prepare a short report analyzing the effects of the physical geography on the battle accompanied with a basic map denoting their defense. Have students compare their plan with that of the historic course of events that unfolded during the Battle of New Orleans.

Next, ask students to assume the role of either Major General Sir Edward Pakenham or Major General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. After reviewing maps and reading about the battle, students will create a timeline of the battle, which they will use to write a series of diary entries (historical fiction primary source) from December 1814 through January 1815 detailing Pakenham’s or Jackson’s experiences and expressing what the general’s opinions were on the major events of this extended battle.

Assign the students the task of writing a short news article (e.g., live report, newspaper) on a specific event from the timeline. The news story should cover the most relevant storyline of the series of events, provide a specific location, names of pertinent people, and possible unique details for high interest. Topics could include the previous skirmishes, concerns about New Orleans’s loyalty to the U.S. war effort, how this battle opened acceptance for Louisiana to be part of the nation,  Jackson declaring martial law, the major battle, Jean Lafitte’s involvement, and additional side stories (the Highlanders, Pakenham’s demise, the buccaneers, role of African Americans). The activity may conclude with either a short newscast or a one-time edition of a class newspaper.

Website Resources

• Chalmette Battlefield:  http://atneworleans.com/body/battlefield.htm

Print Resource

·         Powell, A. Casey (1995). Louisiana at the Battle of New Orleans, 3^rd. Eastern  National Park & Monument Association.

Building Background

• War of 1812

• America at War: War of 1812

• General Society of the War of 1812

• History Central: The War of 1812

• The War of 1812: Cemetery

• The War of 1812:Why, What and Who

• War of 1812

• War of 1812 (2) 

• War of 1812 (3)

• War of 1812 (4)

• War of 1812: Maps

• War of 1812 - MSN Encarta

• A Pirate, a Marshal, and the Battle of New Orleans

• The War of 1812: Impressment

• Smithsonian Press--Legacies--1Treasure House--The Star-Spangled Banner, 1814

• Eyewitness Accounts From the Battle of New Orleans

• Chalmette Battlefield, Beauregard house

• Battle of New Orleans - MSN Encarta
• Battle of New Orleans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Re-living History: The War of 1812
• Key Events & Causes: War of 1812
• The Battle of New Orleans
• Battle of New Oreans - War of 1812
• The War of 1812
• The Battle of New Orleans, 1815 (Eyewitness to History)
• Battle of New Orleans (US History Page)
• Battle of New Orleans: Information from Answers.com
• Andrew Jackson
• Lyrics and Music (Battle of New Orleans Song)

• War of 1812: and Battle of New Orleans PowerPoint (from We The Teachers)

• War of 1812

Lessons/Resources

• Battle of New Orleans PowerPoint
• Battle of New Orleans Article (Students could use this to gather information)
• American History - War of 1812 (Pete's PowerPoint Station)

• Battle of New Orleans Geography Region 8

• 2nd Link for The Battle of New Orleans Region 8

• ReadWriteThink: Student Materials: Timeline

• Timeline (VP)

• Time Line Maker

• Timeline PPT

• Timeline MS Word Template

Unit 6 Interactive Link (Includes online interactives, interactive MS Word and PPT Templates)

• Unit 6 Interactives

• Graphic Organizer Interactives

• Louisiana Literacy Strategies Interactives

Louisiana Site

• Louisiana for Kids Site!