How did Chester A. Arthur’s presidency contribute to the reform of the American civil service system, and what were the long-term effects of these reforms on the federal government’s operations? This lesson and activity examines the early life, education, background, presidency and legacy of President Chester A. Arthur. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Chester A. Arthur’s inaugural address primary source analysis and questions Chester A. Arthur document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions Document 1: Early Life and Career Document 2: Ascendancy to the Presidency Document 3: Tenure in Office - Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act 1883, Chinese Exclusion Act Document 4: Political Views Document 5: Legacy Spotlight On: Chester A. Arthur Chester A. Arthur POV and scaffolding questions Create a legacy brochure of Chester A. Arthur with rubric Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did Chester A. Arthur’s unexpected presidency impact the trajectory of United States governance, particularly in terms of civil service reform and government efficiency, and why do these changes remain significant in American political history? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

How did Grover Cleveland’s non-consecutive terms as President of the United States reflect and influence the political and economic challenges of the late 19th century? This lesson and activity examines the early life, education, background, presidency and legacy of President Grover Cleveland. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Grover Cleveland’s inaugural address primary source analysis and questions Grover Cleveland document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions Document 1: Early Life and Career Document 2: First Term 1885-1889 Electoral Victory and Reformist Agenda Tariff Reform Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) Document 3: Interterm Period Document 4: Second Term 1893-1897 Labor Unrest and the Pullman Strike Foreign Policy Document 5: Legacy Spotlight On: Grover Cleveland Grover Cleveland POV and scaffolding questions Create a legacy brochure of Grover Cleveland with rubric Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did Grover Cleveland’s approach to economic policy and reform during his presidencies impact the development of federal government policies and practices in the United States? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

How did James A. Garfield’s advocacy for civil service reform and his subsequent assassination influence the future direction of American political and administrative reforms? This lesson and activity examines the early life, education, background, presidency and legacy of President James Garfield. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - James A. Garfield’s presidency short reading passage analysis and questions James A. Garfield document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions Document 1: Humble Beginnings Document 2: Distinguished Military Service Document 3: Champion of Civil Rights and Government Reform Document 4: Brief Yet Impactful Presidency Document 5: Legacy of Leadership and Vision Spotlight On: James A. Garfield James Garfield POV and scaffolding questions Create a legacy brochure of James A. Garfield with rubric Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the assassination of President James Garfield catalyze the movement for civil service reform and ultimately shape the trajectory of American governmental practices? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why did the Long Walk of the Navajo and events like the Sand Creek Massacre, including the leadership of figures such as Chief Black Kettle, fundamentally alter the relationship between Native American tribes and the United States government? This lesson and activity examines the background and impact of the “Long Walk” of the Navajo, the Sand Creek Massacre, and the leadership of Chief Black Kettle. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - “Navajo Stories of the Long Walk Period” excerpt with scaffolding questions Experiences of Native American Peoples reading passage with scaffolding graphic organizer questions Document analysis Document #1 - The Long Walk primary source photo with analysis questions Document #2 - The Sand Creek Massacre primary source photo with analysis questions Document #3 - Chief Black Kettle primary source photo with analysis questions Chief Black Kettle POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the Long Walk of the Navajo and the Sand Creek Massacre impact the lives of Native American tribes and influence their future interactions with the United States? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why did farmers organize into groups like the National Grange, and how did cooperatives play a role in supporting their goals? This lesson and activity examines the background and impact the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry and cooperatives had on the lives of farmers. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Primary Source photograph analysis and questions The Organization of Farmers reading passage with scaffolding graphic organizer questions The Homestead Act primary source text and scaffolding questions The Farmer is the Man primary source poem with scaffolding questions The Farmers Organize graphic with corresponding scaffolding questions Create your own poster advertising the National Grange activity with rubric A Farmer’s View POV and questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the formation of the National Grange and the establishment of cooperatives impact the lives of farmers and the agricultural industry in the United States? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

How did the Homestead Act facilitate the creation of new communities and economies in the American West? This lesson and activity examines the background and impact the Homestead Act of 1862 had on migrants who were later called homesteaders. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Primary Source photograph analysis and questions The Homestead Act reading passage with scaffolding graphic organizer questions The Homestead Act primary source text and scaffolding questions A Homesteader POV and questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the Homestead Act of 1862 impact the westward expansion of the United States? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Barbed Wire and the Closing of the Frontier - This lesson and activity examines the invention of barbed wire by Joseph Glidden and how the open frontier was closed. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. Included in this resource: Closing of the Frontier reading passage with graphic organizer questions Joseph Glidden POV and questions Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why did the cattle kingdom become such a significant part of American history, and how did it influence the development of the West? This activity examines the lives of cowboys of the open range and the challenges they faced. Students will simulate an activity from a cowboy’s point of view in this fun and engaging game! They will answer the discussion questions at the end. Included in this resource: Cattle Drive Adventure Activity Cowboy Role Cards Weather/Event cards Cattle tokens Cattle Drive Adventure activity sheet and discussion questions Cattle Drive Adventure map Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why did the cattle kingdom become such a significant part of American history, and how did it influence the development of the West? This lesson and activity examines the lives of cowboys of the open range and the challenges they faced. Students will analyze reading passages and a cowboy’s point of view to answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Settlers’ journey primary source photograph with analysis questions Cattle Kingdom reading passage with scaffolding questions Cattle Kingdom, Cowboys, Cattle Drive, Chisholm Trail, Diversity The End of the Open Range reading passage with scaffolding questions Life of a Cowboy POV with scaffolding questions Cattle Drive Adventure Activity Cowboy Role Cards Weather/Event cards Cattle tokens Cattle Drive Adventure activity sheet and discussion questions Cattle Drive Adventure map Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the cattle kingdom, cattle drives, the Chisholm Trail, and the diversity of cowboys change the economy, culture, and community of the American West in the 1800s? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

How did the railroad affect the development of the West? This lesson and activity examines economic, political, social, and environmental effects of the transcontinental railroad. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Primary Source photograph analysis and questions Results of the Railroad Graphic Organizer Reading Economic Impact Social and Cultural Impact Environmental Impact Political and Military Impact Technological and Infrastructure Development Effects of the Transcontinental Railroad graphic organizer scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad alter the economic, environmental, and cultural landscapes of the United States? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why was the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad and the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit significant for the future of the Pony Express and communication across the United States? This lesson and activity examines the way the need to send goods, information, and people between the East and the West increased. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - The Far West: Shooting Buffalo on the line of the Kansas-Pacific Railroad primary source analysis and questions Transcontinental Railroad Document Activity Document #1: Pony Express Document #2: Transcontinental Railroad Document #3: Golden Spike Document #4: Leland Stanford Document #5: Routes West, 1870 Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the Pony Express, the establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad, and the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit collectively impact the development and communication across the United States in the late 19th century? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★ This lesson can be used as a document pass activity or a document “walk” around your classroom. ★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why did settlers face both excitement and trepidation as they embarked on their journey to the western frontier? This lesson and activity examines the reasons why settlers moved west and the causes and effects of westward expansion. Students will analyze reading passages and a settler’s point of view to answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - California: The Cornucopia of the World primary source poster Settlers Move West reading passage with scaffolding questions Frontier, Comstock Lode, Boomtowns, Causes and Effects of Westward Expansion A Settler’s Journey West POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the establishment of boomtowns during the westward expansion of the 1870s affect the economic and social development of the western frontier? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

This assessment evaluates students’ knowledge from the Reconstruction era unit. Can be used as a review packet or a formal assessment. Included in this resource: Multiple Choice questions Vocabulary matching Short Response question Answer key for teachers ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! Up to teacher’s discretion regarding grading ©2024 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.

This assessment evaluates students’ knowledge from the Reconstruction era unit. Can be used as a review sheet or quick quiz/assessment. Included in this resource: Multiple Choice questions Short Response question Answer key for teachers ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! Up to teacher’s discretion regarding grading ©2024 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.

This assessment evaluates students’ knowledge from the Reconstruction era unit. Can be used as a review packet or a formal assessment. Included in this resource: Multiple Choice questions Thematic Essay question Answer key for teachers ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! Up to teacher’s discretion regarding grading ©2024 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.

This review evaluates students’ knowledge from the Reconstruction era unit to prep for A Social Studies Life’s Reconstruction era unit test. Included in this resource: Graphic organizer organization Short answer review questions Answer key for teachers ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this review can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2024 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.

Why was the passage of the 15th Amendment considered a significant step towards addressing racial inequalities and expanding democratic participation in the United States? This lesson examines the background and passage of the 15th amendment and the impact it had on the lives of newly freed peoples. Students will examine the provisions of the amendment and how it granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting the denial of suffrage based on race, color, or previous servitude. They will critically think to conclude how the 15th amendment aimed to ensure equal access to the democratic process and combat the discriminatory voting practices prevalent during that time. Included in this resource: Do Now - Section 1 of the 15th amendment primary source excerpt with scaffolding questions The Fifteenth Amendment reading passage with vocabulary and scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why has the 15th Amendment had a lasting impact on the advancement of civil rights and the promotion of equal voting rights in the United States? Answer key for teachers ★ Please Note: I execute this lesson with my 8th grade honors students and my 11th grade gen-ed students. Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2023 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.

How did the presence of carpetbaggers and scalawags during Reconstruction impact the political, economic, and social transformation of the South? This lesson examines the definition, background and effects of carpetbaggers and scalawags on the South during Reconstruction. Students will examine political cartoons and analyze documents to conclude how carpetbaggers and scalawags lived and how they played a complex role. They will critically think to conclude how carpetbaggers and scalawags helped shape the path and long-term expectations of the Reconstruction era. Included in this resource: Do Now - “The Man with the Carpet Bags” by Thomas Nast political cartoon analysis questions Carpetbaggers reading passage with graphic organizer scaffolding questions Carpetbagger perspective with scaffolding questions Scalawags reading passage with graphic organizer scaffolding questions James Lusk Alcorn/Scalawag perspective with scaffolding questions Who was Thomas Nast? short reading passage with three scaffolding questions “The Strong Government 1869-1877” political cartoon with analysis questions Social, Political, and Economic Influence of Carpetbaggers and Scalawags reading passage Carpetbaggers and Scalawags Venn diagram Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the involvement of carpetbaggers and scalawags during Reconstruction shape the path and long-term expectations of the Reconstruction era, and what were the consequences for the future of the South? Answer key for teachers ★ Please Note: I execute this lesson with my 8th grade honors students and my 11th grade gen-ed students. Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2023 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.

Why did the enfranchisement of African Americans play a significant role in the outcome of the election of 1868? This lesson examines the background and outcome of the presidential election of 1868. Students will examine the electoral map and background of the election analyzing reading passes and answering scaffolding questions. They will critically think to conclude how the African American vote significantly influenced the outcome of the election. Included in this resource: Do Now - Election of 1868 electoral map analysis questions Election of 1868 reading passage with graphic organizer scaffolding questions Ulysses S. Grant Election of 1868 perspective with scaffolding questions Horatio Seymour Election of 1868 perspective with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the significant participation of African American voters in the election of 1868 influence the outcome and contribute to the advancement of Reconstruction and civil rights in the United States? Answer key for teachers ★ Please Note: I execute this lesson with my 8th grade honors students and my 11th grade gen-ed students. Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2023 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.

Why did the Election of 1876 lead to the Compromise of 1877, and how did this compromise impact the political and social landscape in the United States during the post-Civil War era? This lesson and activity examines the outcome of the election of 1876 and the terms of the agreement and compromise in 1877. Students will analyze primary source documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge. Included in this resource: Do Now - Election of 1876 electoral map and scaffolding questions “Election Riddles: The Mystery of 1876” poem with critical thinking question Remembering the Amnesty Act of 1872 primary source document with vocabulary Understanding the Amnesty Act of 1872 reading passage with scaffolding questions The Election of 1876 and Compromise of 1877 reading passage with scaffolding questions Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana during the Election of 1876 inference graphic organizer and corresponding questions The End of Reconstruction reading passage with graphic organizer questions Rutherford B. Hayes’ on the Compromise of 1877 perspective and questions Samuel J. Tilden on the Compromise of 1877 perspective and questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why did the Amnesty Act of 1872 have a notable impact on elections, and how did it influence the political dynamics and participation in the post-Civil War era? Answer key for teachers ★ Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you! ©2023 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.