Counting Chickens Before They Hatch - A Lesson From Shiloh

This writing prompt requires students to relate to P.G.T. Beauregard’s "complete victory" telegraph at Shiloh by writing about a time they "counted" chickens, or, examples from literature of movies.

1. Warm-Up (5–10 minutes)

Proverb: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

• Write the proverb on the board or display it prominently.
• Ask students:
  • What does this saying mean?
  • Can you think of a time when someone expected something too early or was overconfident?
• Facilitate a brief class discussion and share examples.

2. Historical Context (10–15 minutes)

• Read aloud or distribute the narrative summary of the Battle of Shiloh Church.
• Discuss the following questions with the class:
  • What mistake did General Beauregard make after the first day of battle?
  • How did Grant's reinforcements change the outcome?
  • How does Beauregard’s situation relate to the proverb?

3. Reflective Activity (15–20 minutes)

Prompt:

Have you ever counted chickens before they hatched? Explain below, or, think of an example from movies or literature.

• Students may write about a personal experience or a fictional/media example.
• Encourage depth—how did the situation change when expectations didn’t match reality?
• Invite volunteers to share their writing if time permits.

4. Extension/Connection (Optional, 10–15 minutes)

• Connect the theme to literature or film:
  • The Tortoise and the Hare – Overconfidence leads to defeat.
  • Star Wars: A New Hope – The Empire’s confidence in the Death Star.
  • The Hunger Games – Characters who overestimate their control or safety.
• Show a short clip or read a passage; discuss how it parallels Beauregard’s mistake.