Service Learning in our School (for english)

Service Learning in Our School

Service learning is a pretty major part of our school, next to history.

(Knowledge of History, Democratic Deliberation, & Active Citizenship.) Each year, students are required to do fifteen out of school hours. First of all, service learning is pretty much the act of learning about service. It’s different from community service because we don’t go out on our own and do service. Instead, we form groups of service interests within our school, such as school beautification and recycling. Kids chose their last year what group they wanted to be in, and they had the option to choose another if there was space available the next year.

Service learning may be required, but that doesn’t mean everyone likes it. When I asked a few students, most of them said they weren’t interested in it at all. When I asked sophomore Justin Bryant how many outside of school hours he did, he replied with “Zero. It just doesn’t interest me.” On the other hand, when I asked student Shaquetta Brown, she said her group is “Okay.” And that she’s done 7 outside hours in a charity run.

Although we’re lacking in student interest, some groups, such as Recycling has made tremendous strides to put recycling in our school; putting a nice sized recycling bin on every floor, even though it’s still awaited. Another group went to WHYY and learned the ropes of media. School Beautification is planning on making flower boxes for classroom windows, and the Elder Care group has visited nursing homes.

After asking students what their interest was in service learning, they were also asked what they think we should do to make kids more interested. Most kids said that we should let students that want to, switch groups or ask students what kind of group they would like, and make it.

Civil War Essay

How did the civil war affect the U.S. and all its people?

Topic Sentence: What role did women play in the Civil War?


Women had specific and important roles in the Civil War, yet due to their second-class status their contributions are often overlooked. Prior to the war, white, middle and upper class women’s primary role in society was as mother and wife. They were expected to marry, take care of their husbands, and raise their children. They were unable to own property or vote. Married women were not permitted to work, and unmarried women had limited career options. Poor and enslaved women worked mostly as domestics (washing, cooking, child care), but many also worked in fields and factories. During the war, millions of men were off fighting. This left huge roles to be filled in society, and women stepped up to take over in the absence. Women also fueled the abolition movement, such as Lucritia Mott. Women also played critical roles in the civil war, including as nurses, soldiers, and even spies.
During the civil war times, women were often looked down upon, and the civil war wasn’t much of a difference, but this time, men had no choice. Women played key roles in the war, such as nurses, spies, and even soldiers.
When the war first started in April 1861, the union and confederacy were prepared for the wounds that would follow. Nurses’ stations were set up, but there were no trained nurses. Dorthea Dix was appointed head of nurses and set very strict standards. Women performed surgeries and did other things for wounded soldiers, like write letters, wash their face and hands, and distribute medication. They worked twelve hour shifts and usually serviced 40-50 soldiers a day. Many women in the south needed to be nurses because the battlefields were so close to their homes
This photo is a picture of nurses and a few soldiers as it looks like, in front of a nurses station in Fredericksburg, Virginia. (Gardner, Civil War Photographs, 1861-1865) You can note the plain dress and old age, which is what Dix required of her nurses. Another useful source is a letter by Mary Kelly, a Nurse who is describing a war hospital in Virgina and the conditions in which they lived under. (Kelly 26-27)
“ The wounded here are dying everyday. There is a three story building and very large at that and every room is full. It is sad times indeed.”
That is a very sad quote in itself from the text, describing how hard they had it, and how much work the nurses were faced with in terms of death and the amount of patents.


Women also took part as spies. This was also due in part of a feministic movement, sort of a rebellion for women. A notable civil war spy was Rose O’neil Greenhow.. Here is her letter, to Francis Corbin: (Greenhow, The Rose O'Neil Greenhow Papers)



“My dear Mr. Corbin Washington, June 9th [1860]
Permit me to recall myself to your recollection, and at the same time introduce to your acquaintance the Right Rev Bishop Kipp Episcopal Bishop of Cal. who is going to Europe for a short tour accompanied by his son. In departing from my rule in the matter of introducing persons. I am sure you will think with me that is in this case is more honored in the breach, than the observance. The Bishop is a man of great cultivation and apart from his high social position at home, has seen life under very advantageous circumstances both in England and on the Continent.
It will add to my very pleasant souvenir of the past to know that I have been the medium of introducing and making acquainted two persons whose esteem and good will I value so much.

With my most sincere and affectionate regards,
R O N Greenhow

-1860- Mrs. Greenhow to introduce the Bishop of California (Greenhow)”

That was a letter of introduction for the Reverend Bishop Kipp, the Episcopal Bishop of California, to Francis Corbin. Women faced tough charges If caught being spies. Rose O’neil Greenhow was also imprisoned for spying, as it says in this clipping:
This is a news clipping which describes "Fort Greenough," the brick building in which Rose Greenhow was imprisoned for 3 months. (Greenhow, The Rose O'Neil Greenhow Papers)
Secession Women in Custody
"Fort Greenough" as they call it, where the secession women are shut up, is an ordinary brick house of three stories, on sixteenth street, between K and I. As I strolled slowly by I could see very little indications of its prison character. A lazy sentinel was standing in front of it, to be sure, but he held his musket like an umbrella and was busy chatting with some gossiping friend. There was a chair before the front of the door, but the door was closed, the lower windows looked uncommonly dirty, and there were no bars at all. The women are restricted to the second floor, and as I passed some of them were visible.
In the yard beside the house there is a tall round tent, and soldiers' blankets and accoutrements hang on the fences and the clothesline, while idle looking men in uniform loiter about the premises as if they felt they had a right to be there. It must be rather tedious to have been shut up there as long as Mrs. Greenough has been -- some three months, I believe. She has never, during all that time, been allowed to go out, even for a short distance, and a request which she sent to the President some time ago to be allowed to go to church was refused. She is said to be an accomplished and fascinating woman, and one of the officers who was on duty out here is reported to have betrayed a degree of sympathy towards her which unfitted him for the charge.”
This describes the punishment women suffered while being imprisoned, talking mostly about how Rose Greenhow wasn’t allowed out of her small brick room at all. Rose Greenhow also described battles, as in this letter to Alexander Boteler: (Greenhow, The Rose O'Neil Greenhow Papers)

“To A.R. Boteler
Charleston, July 20th 1863
Here am I my friend en route for the old world spell bound by fearful interest here - Perhaps at no time could I have visited this city under circumstances of deeper interest. The enemy have put forth every effort to capture it - and the skill and daring of our people will be taxed to the utmost to repell the brutal hoards who are now hovering around. For the last week the enemy has been attacking our batteries - having made a lodgemont on Morris island - one end of which we hold, and upon which is planted Battery Wagner. This point commands the City, and it [is] here that all their energies have been put forth to get possession of the Battery. On Saturday they commenced a combined naval and land attack, and continued until dawn to shell this Battery. I witnessed this whole from St. Michael's tower and it was fearfully grand - at 6 oclock they attempted to storm the Battery the attack coming from the point we hold. - Fort Sumpter then opened upon them, in anticipation of which her guns had been ranged in the morning with fearful precision The attacking party were driven off with heavy loss - but after dark it was renewed four times, and each time with fresh troops - at one time they succeeded in making a lodgemont in the works and planted their banner upon one end also holding a gun for some little time. Talliaferro here ordered the Charleston Battalion to bring down the flag and dislodge them he leading - not a man of the enemy got out alive - so they payed dearly for a momentary triumph - they were finally repulsed with great slaughter - their killed and wounded number 1500, eight hundred have already been buried our own one hundred in killed and wounded yesterday all day they were burying their dead whilst we were busy preparing further entertainment for them. It is possible that they may get possession of Battery Wagner - but it will be deer bought and bootless triumph to them as Beauregard had prepared a little entertainment for them which will not aid their digestion
Gen Beauregard is fully equal to his great reputation and still holds his place as the great captain of the age. He has just written me a note reminding me that the battle of Saturday was fought on the anniversary of Bull Run 18th July - and has certainly added another leaf to the laurel which then bound his brow
I will direct this to Richmond as I see by the papers that the Yankees have again paid their complements to your region.
I shall go to Wilmington as it is possible that I may not be able even to run the blockade from this point - in which case you shall hear from me - I have not had a line from you for a long time Rose is here altho severely disturbed by the mosquitoes - the weather is delightful I wish with all my heart that you were here - The day I left R. I had an opportunity of saying a kind thing for you. I [illegible] you and Hodge in speaking of the attempt to organize an opposition last winter. He expressed his deep regret that you both were defeated- said any [illegible] with an [illegible] was invincible. He said he would be very glad to assign you to Military position as he had already done Mr. Hodge - Pray take my advice and go to him without any reference to any of his aids who are all humbugs, as I have found go to him yourself and you will get just what you want - and just what you are entitled to. I am very unhappy I have just got from Beauregard a permit to visit Sumpter, altho the enemies guns within the last half hour are again roaring.
With my best regards believe me always your friend
Rose O'N Greenhow
Hon. A.A. Boteler (Greenhow)”

This described the battle activities that was witnessed by Greenhow, and her visit to Fort Sumter.

Civil War Essay

How did the civil war affect the U.S. and all its people?

Topic Sentence: What role did women play in the Civil War?


Women had specific and important roles in the Civil War, yet due to their second-class status their contributions are often overlooked. Prior to the war, white, middle and upper class women’s primary role in society was as mother and wife. They were expected to marry, take care of their husbands, and raise their children. They were unable to own property or vote. Married women were not permitted to work, and unmarried women had limited career options. Poor and enslaved women worked mostly as domestics (washing, cooking, child care), but many also worked in fields and factories. During the war, millions of men were off fighting. This left huge roles to be filled in society, and women stepped up to take over in the absence. Women also fueled the abolition movement, such as Lucritia Mott. Women also played critical roles in the civil war, including as nurses, soldiers, and even spies.
During the civil war times, women were often looked down upon, and the civil war wasn’t much of a difference, but this time, men had no choice. Women played key roles in the war, such as nurses, spies, and even soldiers.
When the war first started in April 1861, the union and confederacy were prepared for the wounds that would follow. Nurses’ stations were set up, but there were no trained nurses. Dorthea Dix was appointed head of nurses and set very strict standards. Women performed surgeries and did other things for wounded soldiers, like write letters, wash their face and hands, and distribute medication. They worked twelve hour shifts and usually serviced 40-50 soldiers a day. Many women in the south needed to be nurses because the battlefields were so close to their homes
This photo is a picture of nurses and a few soldiers as it looks like, in front of a nurses station in Fredericksburg, Virginia. (Gardner, Civil War Photographs, 1861-1865) You can note the plain dress and old age, which is what Dix required of her nurses. Another useful source is a letter by Mary Kelly, a Nurse who is describing a war hospital in Virgina and the conditions in which they lived under. (Kelly 26-27)
“ The wounded here are dying everyday. There is a three story building and very large at that and every room is full. It is sad times indeed.”
That is a very sad quote in itself from the text, describing how hard they had it, and how much work the nurses were faced with in terms of death and the amount of patents.


Women also took part as spies. This was also due in part of a feministic movement, sort of a rebellion for women. A notable civil war spy was Rose O’neil Greenhow.. Here is her letter, to Francis Corbin: (Greenhow, The Rose O'Neil Greenhow Papers)



“My dear Mr. Corbin Washington, June 9th [1860]
Permit me to recall myself to your recollection, and at the same time introduce to your acquaintance the Right Rev Bishop Kipp Episcopal Bishop of Cal. who is going to Europe for a short tour accompanied by his son. In departing from my rule in the matter of introducing persons. I am sure you will think with me that is in this case is more honored in the breach, than the observance. The Bishop is a man of great cultivation and apart from his high social position at home, has seen life under very advantageous circumstances both in England and on the Continent.
It will add to my very pleasant souvenir of the past to know that I have been the medium of introducing and making acquainted two persons whose esteem and good will I value so much.

With my most sincere and affectionate regards,
R O N Greenhow

-1860- Mrs. Greenhow to introduce the Bishop of California (Greenhow)”

That was a letter of introduction for the Reverend Bishop Kipp, the Episcopal Bishop of California, to Francis Corbin. Women faced tough charges If caught being spies. Rose O’neil Greenhow was also imprisoned for spying, as it says in this clipping:
This is a news clipping which describes "Fort Greenough," the brick building in which Rose Greenhow was imprisoned for 3 months. (Greenhow, The Rose O'Neil Greenhow Papers)
Secession Women in Custody
"Fort Greenough" as they call it, where the secession women are shut up, is an ordinary brick house of three stories, on sixteenth street, between K and I. As I strolled slowly by I could see very little indications of its prison character. A lazy sentinel was standing in front of it, to be sure, but he held his musket like an umbrella and was busy chatting with some gossiping friend. There was a chair before the front of the door, but the door was closed, the lower windows looked uncommonly dirty, and there were no bars at all. The women are restricted to the second floor, and as I passed some of them were visible.
In the yard beside the house there is a tall round tent, and soldiers' blankets and accoutrements hang on the fences and the clothesline, while idle looking men in uniform loiter about the premises as if they felt they had a right to be there. It must be rather tedious to have been shut up there as long as Mrs. Greenough has been -- some three months, I believe. She has never, during all that time, been allowed to go out, even for a short distance, and a request which she sent to the President some time ago to be allowed to go to church was refused. She is said to be an accomplished and fascinating woman, and one of the officers who was on duty out here is reported to have betrayed a degree of sympathy towards her which unfitted him for the charge.”
This describes the punishment women suffered while being imprisoned, talking mostly about how Rose Greenhow wasn’t allowed out of her small brick room at all. Rose Greenhow also described battles, as in this letter to Alexander Boteler: (Greenhow, The Rose O'Neil Greenhow Papers)

“To A.R. Boteler
Charleston, July 20th 1863
Here am I my friend en route for the old world spell bound by fearful interest here - Perhaps at no time could I have visited this city under circumstances of deeper interest. The enemy have put forth every effort to capture it - and the skill and daring of our people will be taxed to the utmost to repell the brutal hoards who are now hovering around. For the last week the enemy has been attacking our batteries - having made a lodgemont on Morris island - one end of which we hold, and upon which is planted Battery Wagner. This point commands the City, and it [is] here that all their energies have been put forth to get possession of the Battery. On Saturday they commenced a combined naval and land attack, and continued until dawn to shell this Battery. I witnessed this whole from St. Michael's tower and it was fearfully grand - at 6 oclock they attempted to storm the Battery the attack coming from the point we hold. - Fort Sumpter then opened upon them, in anticipation of which her guns had been ranged in the morning with fearful precision The attacking party were driven off with heavy loss - but after dark it was renewed four times, and each time with fresh troops - at one time they succeeded in making a lodgemont in the works and planted their banner upon one end also holding a gun for some little time. Talliaferro here ordered the Charleston Battalion to bring down the flag and dislodge them he leading - not a man of the enemy got out alive - so they payed dearly for a momentary triumph - they were finally repulsed with great slaughter - their killed and wounded number 1500, eight hundred have already been buried our own one hundred in killed and wounded yesterday all day they were burying their dead whilst we were busy preparing further entertainment for them. It is possible that they may get possession of Battery Wagner - but it will be deer bought and bootless triumph to them as Beauregard had prepared a little entertainment for them which will not aid their digestion
Gen Beauregard is fully equal to his great reputation and still holds his place as the great captain of the age. He has just written me a note reminding me that the battle of Saturday was fought on the anniversary of Bull Run 18th July - and has certainly added another leaf to the laurel which then bound his brow
I will direct this to Richmond as I see by the papers that the Yankees have again paid their complements to your region.
I shall go to Wilmington as it is possible that I may not be able even to run the blockade from this point - in which case you shall hear from me - I have not had a line from you for a long time Rose is here altho severely disturbed by the mosquitoes - the weather is delightful I wish with all my heart that you were here - The day I left R. I had an opportunity of saying a kind thing for you. I [illegible] you and Hodge in speaking of the attempt to organize an opposition last winter. He expressed his deep regret that you both were defeated- said any [illegible] with an [illegible] was invincible. He said he would be very glad to assign you to Military position as he had already done Mr. Hodge - Pray take my advice and go to him without any reference to any of his aids who are all humbugs, as I have found go to him yourself and you will get just what you want - and just what you are entitled to. I am very unhappy I have just got from Beauregard a permit to visit Sumpter, altho the enemies guns within the last half hour are again roaring.
With my best regards believe me always your friend
Rose O'N Greenhow
Hon. A.A. Boteler (Greenhow)”

This described the battle activities that was witnessed by Greenhow, and her visit to Fort Sumter.