Classroom Resources  
Student Article

Clara Barton: The Angel of the Battlefield Who Changed Medicine Forever

By: Jonny Wilkes
Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

Clara Barton risked her life on Civil War battlefields, founded the American Red Cross, and fought for equality and justice across the globe.

The article "Clara Barton: The Angel of the Battlefield Who Changed Medicine Forever" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a powerful look at Barton's lifelong devotion to helping others. From nursing wounded Civil War soldiers to founding the American Red Cross, she broke barriers in healthcare, women's rights, and disaster relief, earning her the title “Angel of the Battlefield.”

Student Article Info

BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Age/Grade:
Topic:
Portrait of Clara Barton
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 800-1000L
Preview
3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000-1200L
Preview
Share:

More Like This

Student Article
Marie Curie: A Scientific Legacy Who Changed the World

The article “Marie Curie: A Scientific Legacy Who Changed the World” from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the life and groundbreaking scientific achievements of Marie Curie. From her difficult childhood in Russian-occupied Poland to her pioneering work in radioactivity, Curie defied gender norms and political obstacles to become one of the most celebrated scientists in history.

Student Article
The Race for a Cure: How Vaccines Were Developed for 4 Deadly Diseases

The article "The Race for a Cure: How Vaccines Were Developed for 4 Deadly Diseases" by BBC's HistoryExtra explores the history of vaccines, starting with Edward Jenner's fight against smallpox in 1798. The article highlights the challenges and triumphs in developing vaccines against smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis, and polio.

Student Article
How Scientists From Around the World Helped Shape Modern Science

The article "How Scientists From Around the World Helped Shape Modern Science" from BBC's HistoryExtra explains how science in the 16th to 18th Centuries wasn't only shaped by famous Europeans like Copernicus or Newton. Thinkers from Asia, Africa, and the Americas also made important contributions.

Clara Barton: The Angel of the Civil War Battlefield | BBC Learning Hub