The Red Badge of Courage

First published in 1895, The Red Badge of Courage is the amazing Civil War story of a farm boy turned soldier. Henry Fleming is a young Union soldier struggling with the horrors of war and the destruction of lives and property. Over the span of a few days, Henry must decide whether he is courageous enough to remain in the war, or so cowardly that he must flee and hide.

To buy this book, click here or on the book cover.

Enrichment Activities
Internet Resources
Books by Stephen Crane

Enrichment Activities

• Act Out a Scene
  Assign students, in groups of three or four, to act out a scene from The Red Badge of Courage.
  
  
• Book Cover Design
  Get students thinking about the main message of the book by having them design a new book cover. You can also have your class analyze the many book covers that the novel has been published with.
  
  
• Classroom Lincoln-Douglas Debate
  Hold a Lincoln-Douglas style debate and help students learn about major political issues.
  
  
• Emancipation Proclamation
  On January 1, 1863 President Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves. Read and analyze the entire speech with your students, as a whole class or small group activity.
  
  
• Famous Abolitionists
  Share with your students reference articles on Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman.
  
  
• Three Famous Americans in the Civil War
  Students read several paragraphs about three Civil War heroes, and then answer questions.