The Great Squander - Missed Opportunities at Antietam

This historical prompt challenges students to consider the great opportunities squandered by Union General George McClellan prior to Antietam. Then, to think of and write about a time when they may have squandered a "golden" opportunity.

1. Hook: What If...? (5–10 minutes)

Ask students:

• Have you ever had a chance to do something amazing… but didn’t act quickly enough?
• What does it feel like to realize that chance is gone?

2. Mini-Lesson: Antietam and McClellan’s Missed Chances (10–15 minutes)

Give students a short overview of the Battle of Antietam (also called Sharpsburg):

• McClellan found Lee’s battle plans but delayed his attack.
• On the day of the battle, McClellan had four times as many troops but was overly cautious.
• The battle became the bloodiest single day in American history—with no clear winner.

3. Writing Activity (25–30 minutes)

Present the prompt:
“Have you ever had an incredible opportunity you let slip away? If so, detail below. If you can’t think of an example in your own life, try to think of an example in sports or literature and write about it below.”

Remind students:

• They can choose to write personally or from something they’ve seen in books, history, or sports.
• Use strong details to describe what the opportunity was, what happened, and how it felt afterward.
• Use McClellan’s situation as a model for the concept of hesitation or misjudgment.

4. Share and Connect (10–15 minutes)

Allow students to share their responses with a partner or the class. Then discuss:

• Why do people hesitate, even when they have an advantage?
• What can we learn from missed opportunities—both our own and others’?
• How does this connect to the choices leaders must make in critical moments?