About the contest:

The "Best Civil War Lesson Plan" Contest was  Sponsored by The History Channel and the Civil War Preservation Trust.

The Civil War lesson plan had to be challenging and relevant to today's students.

Prizes: First Place - $1,000; Second Place - $750; Third Place - $500. Prizes are generously donated by The History Channel.
The contest is open to K-12 teachers nationwide - in public, private, and home schools.

All lesson plans included the following elements in order to be considered:
* A brief description of the goals of the lesson and concepts to be taught.
* A list of the materials to be used, as well as copies of teacher-created handouts.
* A brief description of the time involved.
* An explanation of the methods to be used.
* A list of correlating state standards for social studies or history in the teacher's home state, or the appropriate NCSS standards
* Use of at least one primary source - this could be an historic photograph, document, letter, diary, or artifact.
* Inclusion of elements that are engaging and thought provoking for students with a variety of learning styles.

Teachers were encouraged to introduce the concept of battlefield preservation within their lesson.

Bearden Middle School teacher's Civil War Lesson is nationally recognized

Seth Rayman Bearden Middle School

Date: 05/01/2008

A Knox County Schools social studies teacher has been recognized by the History Channel and the Civil War Preservation Trust for having one of the best Civil War related lesson plans in the nation for 2008.

Every year the Civil War Preservation Trust and The History Channel search the nation for teachers who can develop the best Civil War lesson plan for their students. The search includes entries from Kindergarten through12th grade teachers nationwide in public, private, and home schools. This year, Seth Rayman, an 8th grade Social Studies teacher from Bearden Middle School, was one of the select group of teachers to make the grade.

"I am honored to be recognized for continually seeking new and creative ways to teach interactive lessons to students in the ever adapting and changing technological world,” said Rayman.

Rayman received third place nationally in the contest. The History Channel and Civil War Preservation Trust will present him with $500 for his achievement. His lesson plan has students create a Civil War Photo Journal in the spirit of Matthew Brady, the famous Civil War Photographer. Each student created a photo journal, magazine, or newspaper that depicts and explains images from the Civil War.

This is not the first award Rayman has received for his excellent teaching. In May 2003, he was the US Cellular and WATE TV 6 Educator of the Month. He has taught 8th grade social studies at Bearden Middle School for eight years.