Custer's Last Stand
Turning points in U.S. history Series
What’s inside...
Written by experienced special needs teachers, and fully assessed by The Basic Skills Agency to ensure accessibility in both layout and content, Livewire Investigates is a series of thrilling accounts of dream careers, sports and extreme sports, disasters and catastrophes and strange mysteries. The book also describes the tensions between the United States government and the Native Americans in the 1800s, and how the discovery of gold in South Dakota in 1875 led to the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-11
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated General Custer and his soldiers during the Battle of Little Bighorn?
How do you feel about the decisions made by the leaders in the story?
What can we learn from the way different cultures viewed this event?
How do you think the outcome of the battle impacted American history?
What qualities do you admire in the characters, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by summarizing the key events of the battle to ensure your child understands the context.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the events and characters, reinforcing that all perspectives are valid.
Link the discussion to broader historical or moral lessons, prompting your child to think about how history shapes our present.
Ask your child to think about what they might have done differently if they were one of the characters, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
Use maps or illustrations to help visualize the events, making the historical context more engaging and accessible.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: The story of Custer's Last Stand exemplifies courage through the characters' willingness to stand firm in the face of overwhelming odds.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be brave in their convictions and face challenges head-on, whether it's standing up to a bully or trying something new.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The battle depicted in the book shows how decisions can lead to significant outcomes, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think carefully before acting and understand that their actions have impacts.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity and opposing viewpoints
Explanation: Through the interactions between diverse groups in the story, the importance of understanding and respecting different perspectives is highlighted.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to appreciate and celebrate differences amongst peers, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Leadership and responsibility
Explanation: The character of Custer exemplifies leadership qualities, which come with heavy responsibilities.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to take on leadership roles in group tasks, be it in school projects or team sports, understanding the influence they have on others.