Civil War and Reconstruction: Impact and Transformation
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How did the Civil War and Reconstruction era transform American society, and to what extent do the legacies of this period continue to shape the experiences and identities of diverse groups in the United States today?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How did the Civil War impact different groups of people in the United States?
- What were the main goals of Reconstruction, and were they achieved?
- In what ways did the Civil War and Reconstruction shape the United States into the nation it is today?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Analyze the social, economic, and political transformations during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
- Evaluate the impact of the Civil War on different demographic groups.
- Investigate the successes and failures of Reconstruction policies.
- Connect historical events of the Civil War and Reconstruction to contemporary issues and their relevance to diverse groups today.
Teacher-Provided Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsEchoes of the Past
**Modern-Day Parallels Brainstorm:** Begin by discussing current social justice issues and then task students with finding parallels to challenges faced during Reconstruction. This connects historical events to contemporary issues, fostering deeper engagement and relevance.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Reconstruction: Success or Failure?
Students will analyze primary and secondary sources to evaluate the successes and failures of Reconstruction policies. This activity develops critical thinking and analytical skills.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written analysis of Reconstruction policies, discussing their intended goals, actual outcomes, and long-term consequences.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.8.Civics.4 - Investigate the successes and failures of Reconstruction policies.Civil War and Reconstruction: A Historical Timeline
Students will create a timeline of key events leading up to, during, and immediately following the Civil War. This activity sets the stage for understanding the context and consequences of the war and Reconstruction.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed timeline highlighting significant events, including dates, brief descriptions, and visuals (if possible).Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.8.Civics.4 - Examine the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction, focusing on social, economic, and political transformations.Voices of the Civil War: Personal Profiles
Students will research and create profiles of individuals from different demographic groups (e.g., formerly enslaved people, women, Southern landowners) affected by the Civil War and Reconstruction. This activity promotes empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of individual profiles, each including a brief biography, experiences during the war and Reconstruction, and the impact of these events on their lives.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSS.8.Civics.4 - Evaluate the impact of the Civil War on different demographic groups.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioCivil War and Reconstruction Portfolio Rubric
Historical Timeline
Assesses the accuracy, clarity, and visual appeal of the Civil War and Reconstruction timeline.Accuracy and Depth of Content
Accuracy and depth of information presented in the timeline, demonstrating understanding of key events.
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline includes inaccurate information or lacks key events, demonstrating little understanding of the period.
Developing
2 PointsTimeline includes most key events but may lack depth or contain minor inaccuracies, showing basic understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline is accurate and includes key events with sufficient depth, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the Civil War and Reconstruction era.
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline is exceptionally accurate, detailed, and insightful, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the Civil War and Reconstruction era and its complexities.
Organization and Clarity
Organization and clarity of the timeline, making it easy to follow the sequence of events.
Beginning
1 PointsTimeline is disorganized and difficult to follow, hindering understanding of the sequence of events.
Developing
2 PointsTimeline is somewhat organized but may lack clarity in the sequence of events, making it occasionally difficult to follow.
Proficient
3 PointsTimeline is well-organized and clearly presents the sequence of events, making it easy to follow.
Exemplary
4 PointsTimeline is exceptionally well-organized, visually appealing, and presents the sequence of events with outstanding clarity and coherence.
Visual Appeal and Relevance
Quality and relevance of visuals used on the timeline, enhancing understanding and engagement.
Beginning
1 PointsVisuals are absent, irrelevant, or of poor quality, failing to enhance understanding.
Developing
2 PointsVisuals are present but may be of limited relevance or quality, providing minimal enhancement to understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsVisuals are relevant and of good quality, enhancing understanding and engagement with the timeline.
Exemplary
4 PointsVisuals are exceptionally relevant, high-quality, and thoughtfully integrated, significantly enhancing understanding and creating a compelling presentation.
Personal Profiles
Evaluates the depth, clarity, and empathy demonstrated in the individual profiles.Depth of Research and Accuracy
Thoroughness of research and accurate representation of the individual's experiences and perspectives.
Beginning
1 PointsProfile lacks depth, contains inaccuracies, or fails to adequately represent the individual's experiences.
Developing
2 PointsProfile provides some information about the individual but may lack depth or contain minor inaccuracies.
Proficient
3 PointsProfile is well-researched and accurately represents the individual's experiences and perspectives during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Exemplary
4 PointsProfile is exceptionally well-researched, providing a nuanced and insightful portrayal of the individual's experiences and perspectives with historical accuracy and empathy.
Clarity and Insightfulness
Clarity and insightfulness of the profile, demonstrating an understanding of the individual's challenges and contributions.
Beginning
1 PointsProfile is poorly written and lacks insight into the individual's experiences or contributions.
Developing
2 PointsProfile is adequately written but offers limited insight into the individual's experiences or contributions.
Proficient
3 PointsProfile is well-written and provides a clear understanding of the individual's challenges and contributions during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Exemplary
4 PointsProfile is exceptionally well-written, demonstrating deep empathy and providing profound insights into the individual's life, challenges, and contributions, connecting their experiences to broader historical themes.
Empathy and Perspective
Demonstrates empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates little to no empathy or understanding of diverse perspectives.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates some awareness of diverse perspectives but lacks depth of understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a high degree of empathy and nuanced understanding of diverse perspectives, connecting individual experiences to broader social and political contexts with sensitivity and insight.
Reconstruction Analysis
Assesses the student's analysis of Reconstruction policies, including their achievements and shortcomings.Depth of Analysis
Clarity and depth of the analysis, demonstrating a strong understanding of Reconstruction policies.
Beginning
1 PointsAnalysis is superficial and lacks understanding of Reconstruction policies.
Developing
2 PointsAnalysis is basic but shows some understanding of Reconstruction policies.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalysis is clear and demonstrates a strong understanding of Reconstruction policies, their intended goals, and actual outcomes.
Exemplary
4 PointsAnalysis is insightful, nuanced, and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of Reconstruction policies, their complex impacts, and long-term consequences.
Evaluation of Policy Achievement
Effectiveness in evaluating the extent to which Reconstruction policies achieved their intended goals.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to evaluate the achievement of Reconstruction goals.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a limited evaluation of the achievement of Reconstruction goals.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively evaluates the extent to which Reconstruction policies achieved their intended goals.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful evaluation of the achievements and shortcomings of Reconstruction policies, drawing on diverse sources and perspectives to support claims.
Discussion of Consequences
Discussion of the unintended consequences or failures of Reconstruction policies.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to discuss unintended consequences or failures of Reconstruction policies.
Developing
2 PointsBriefly mentions unintended consequences or failures but lacks detail.
Proficient
3 PointsDiscusses the unintended consequences or failures of Reconstruction policies with supporting evidence.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thorough and critical discussion of the unintended consequences and failures of Reconstruction policies, demonstrating a deep understanding of their complex and lasting impacts.