Graycen asked question after question after Jim Otis made a Civil War presentation to Grades 5 and 6. “This is just so awesome!” Graycen said.
Jim, a Civil War expert and whose great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, brought many artifacts to share with the class from the 1800’s.
“I can’t believe this is real!” Alev said as she looked at a bible that had a bullet hole in it. Jim’s great-grandfather, John J. Railey, was a sharpshooter from New Hampshire. In the Battle of Antietam, he was shot in the back. Thankfully, his bible took the bullet and saved his life. Private Railey continued to fight in many battles during the Civil War, including the Battle of Gettysburg.
Jim shared many artifacts from the 1800’s including pictures, letters, and the lifesaving bible.
In 6th Grade English class, students have been studying the Civil War. They have been learning about key events and battles from the war, reading the novel Bull Run, and are also researching an important figure from this war. Students will then write a biography and make class presentations.
5th grade students have already asked if they could write a paper on John J. Railey next year!
