Reconstruction Introduction Lesson

Reconstruction Introduction Activity

Reconstruction Era - An Introductory, Document-Based Lesson

Aim: What was America’s goal for the South after the Civil War? How did this goal succeed or fail?

This lesson introduces the sensitive topic of the Reconstruction Era to your students in a document-based station activity. Students will determine the goal of the United States for the South and the affect Reconstruction had on black American freedmen after the Civil War.

Included in this resource:

• Reconstruction & The New South cover page

• Full Lesson Plan

• Student-centered Do Now question: What does it mean to “reconstruct” something? Does “reconstruction” always work? Why or why not?

• Introduction to Reconstruction “Museum Walk”/Station Activity: Students walk around to each station {in cooperative groups} analyzing documents and answering scaffolding questions {5 documents/5 groups}

• Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Questions

★★ Please Note: I execute this lesson with my 8th grade students. Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

If you would like more information on how to execute this lesson/activity in your class, please email me at asocialstudieslife@gmail.com.

© A Social Studies Life

For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.