Individual Lesson View
Battle Over Reconstruction
(Lesson 1)
From: EDSITEment!
Grade Level: HS, (College)
Remote Ready: With Modifications
Time: 2 Class Periods for All Activities
Length of Reading: Pages
Lesson 1:
The Battle Over Reconstruction:
The Aftermath of War
There are 2 activities here. The first includes a PBS video on Reconstruction, an interactive map, and primary sources from 4 Southern states for students to analyze in groups. The second activity includes primary sources from those who affected or were effected by Reconstruction policy.
Activity 1: For background, the class watches the entirety of PBS's Reconstruction: America after the Civil War, Episode 1( 56 min); it's provided here via YouTube. Anti-textbook suggests having students watch it for homework.
Then, in groups, students read 2 primary sources (one from Walt Whitman and one from General William T. Sherman). They check out an interactive map. And they answer questions on both.
Next, each group is assigned a southern state; they read a primary source from someone in this state and answer questions. Be sure to read the documents excerpted in "Worksheet for Activity 1." If you click on the links, you will be taken to the sources in their entirety.Activity 2: Each group reads a primary source from a someone involved in Reconstruction policy or affected by it. Then students answer questions. Each group makes policy proposals to Congress based on their doc. Finally, each group reports to the class, and the class discusses.
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Grade Level: HS, (College)
- HS=High School
- Though HS is the specified grade level, this lesson would be excellent for college students as well.
Remote Ready: With Modifications
- Links to the map, film, and reading assignments can easily be emailed or posted for students
- Group work (pairs) might be difficult, though questions could be answered individually
- Paraphrase questions into your LMS so you can grade student’s written answers more easily
- Discussion can be had via typing on your LMS or over video conferencing
Primary Source Icon
This means that this activity utilizes primary sources
Group Work Icon
This activity calls for working in pairs, a group, and/or having a class discussion
Map Icon
This activity asks students to examine map(s) (interactive or standard)
Movie Icon
This means that this activity calls for showing a film, clip, and/or documentary
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