Virtual Time Capsule: Civil War Perspective
Created byDebra Stellato
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Virtual Time Capsule: Civil War Perspective

Grade 8Social StudiesHistory22 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
The 'Virtual Time Capsule: Civil War Perspective' project is a comprehensive learning experience for 8th-grade students, centered on exploring the complex causes, key figures, and continuing impacts of the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Through immersive activities such as analyzing historical artifacts, creating character dossiers, crafting detailed timelines, engaging in debates, and producing documentaries, students enhance their research, critical thinking, and digital literacy skills. By examining historical controversies and narratives, learners develop a nuanced understanding of how the Civil War and its aftermath shaped the United States.
Civil WarReconstructionHistorical AnalysisKey FiguresVirtual Time CapsuleDigital LiteracyPolitical Controversies
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as historians, create an immersive virtual time capsule to explore and share the complex causes, key figures, and lasting effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction from the perspective of those who lived it?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What were the major causes leading to the Civil War, and how did these contribute to the onset of sectional conflict in America?
  • How did states' rights and slavery fuel the tensions that led to the Civil War?
  • Who were the key figures in the Civil War, and what was their impact on its outcome?
  • What were the three plans for Reconstruction, and what were the pros and cons of each?
  • How did the outcomes and lasting effects of the Civil War shape the United States' future?
  • In what ways did Andrew Johnson’s impeachment and the Black Codes highlight political controversies during Reconstruction?
  • What significance did the Compromise of 1877 hold in the context of the Reconstruction era?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will analyze the causes of the Civil War, examining the roles of states' rights and slavery in the conflict.
  • Students will investigate key figures of the Civil War, understanding their contribution to the war's outcome.
  • Students will compare and critically assess the three plans of Reconstruction, evaluating their impacts and effectiveness.
  • Students will explore the lasting effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the United States, including political controversies.
  • Students will develop digital literacy by creating an immersive virtual time capsule from a historical point of view.

State Standards

8.H.23
Primary
Analyze the causes and effects of events leading to the Civil War, and evaluate the impact issues such as states’ rights and slavery had in developing America’s sectional conflict.Reason: This standard aligns with the project's goal to explore major causes leading to the Civil War and understand their contribution to the sectional conflict.
8.H.24
Primary
Identify the factors and individuals which influenced the outcome of the Civil War and explain the significance of each.Reason: It provides a basis for investigating key figures and their impact on the Civil War, aligned with the project's focus.
8.H.25
Primary
Compare and contrast the three plans for Reconstruction and evaluate the merits of each.Reason: Essential for understanding post-war Reconstruction plans, fitting with the project's inquiry into reconstruction strategies.
8.H.26
Primary
Describe causes and lasting effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction as well as the political controversies surrounding this time such as Andrew Johnson’s impeachment, the Black Codes, and the Compromise of 1877.Reason: Directly related to exploring the causes, effects, and controversies of the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Time Traveler's Surprise Package

Deliver a mysterious package to the classroom sent 'from the past' containing letters and artifacts supposedly from Civil War figures. Students must use these items to reconstruct perspectives and narratives of individuals from the era, sparking their interest and inquiry into the past.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Time Traveler's Surprise Package

Students receive a mysterious package sent 'from the past' containing letters and artifacts from Civil War figures. This activity serves to trigger curiosity and develop initial inquiry skills, providing context for deeper exploration into individuals' perspectives from this era.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Present the mysterious package to the classroom and discuss its potential origin, sparking intrigue and anticipation.
2. Unpack the items, including letters and artifacts, allowing students to examine and hypothesize about each piece's significance.
3. Facilitate a classroom discussion to reconstruct potential narratives and perspectives represented by these items.
4. Identify guiding questions and topics for further inquiry into the Civil War period based on the package contents.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityStudents will have a class-generated list of inquiry questions and topics related to the Civil War era.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity primarily aligns with the inquiry-based framework promoting initial investigation skills, fostering curiosity in line with standard 8.H.24 and 8.H.23, addressing Civil War causation and figures.
Activity 2

Character Deep Dive Dossier

Students select a Civil War figure and create an in-depth personal dossier detailing their impact and perspective during the war. This will build students' research and analytical skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a Civil War figure from the provided list or select a group-assigned character.
2. Conduct thorough research using multiple sources to gather information about the individual's life, motivations, and actions during the Civil War.
3. Compile the findings in a personal dossier, outlining the figure's contributions and significance to the war.
4. Create a presentation or report discussing the figure's impact on the war's progression and outcome.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityStudents will produce a detailed dossier and presentation on their selected Civil War figure.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with standard 8.H.24 by identifying key individuals who influenced the Civil War and explaining their impact.
Activity 3

Cause-Effect Timeline Tales

Students create a timeline detailing the major events leading up to the Civil War, focusing on causes and their effects on sectional tensions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Begin with brainstorming sessions on already known causes and effects of the Civil War.
2. Research historical events, debates, and legislations that contributed to the onset of the war.
3. Gather data in a timeline format, connecting events to corresponding causes and effects.
4. Synthesize the research into a digital or physical timeline display detailing chronological occurrences and the evolution of tensions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive timeline highlighting the causes and effects of events leading to the Civil War.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity supports standards 8.H.23 and 8.H.24 by analyzing causes, effects, and key figures of the Civil War.
Activity 4

Reconstruction Policy Debate

Students engage in a structured debate to explore and assess the merits of the three Reconstruction plans, developing critical thinking and public speaking skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide the class into groups, each representing one of the three Reconstruction plans.
2. Research the assigned plan, focusing on its objectives, strengths, and weaknesses.
3. Formulate arguments defending the assigned plan's effectiveness using evidence from historical sources.
4. Participate in a class debate presenting arguments and counterarguments, concluding with a collective reflection on the plans' impacts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityStudents will develop a group presentation and participate in a formal debate on Reconstruction plans.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity supports standard 8.H.25 by comparing and evaluating the various Reconstruction strategies implemented post-Civil War.
Activity 5

Controversies Uncovered: A Documentary Project

Students create a short documentary exploring the political controversies during the Reconstruction era, focusing on events like Andrew Johnson's impeachment and the Black Codes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a political controversy of the Reconstruction era to focus the documentary on.
2. Research using historical documents, testimonies, and secondary sources to understand the controversy's context and impact.
3. Plan the documentary's structure, scripting sections and determining necessary visuals or interviews.
4. Produce the documentary using multimedia tools, ensuring a compelling narrative and accurate historical representation.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA student-created documentary covering political controversies from the Reconstruction era.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with standard 8.H.26 by describing causes, effects, and controversies surrounding the Reconstruction period.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Civil War and Reconstruction Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Historical Understanding and Analysis

Assesses students' ability to analyze the causes, events, and impacts of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Criterion 1

Analysis of Causes and Effects

Evaluation of students' ability to identify and evaluate the causes of the Civil War and its impacts on sectional conflict and national unity.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an insightful and comprehensive analysis of multiple causes and effects of the Civil War, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the sectional conflict.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly identifies key causes and effects of the Civil War, with a sound understanding of the sectional conflict.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some causes and effects of the Civil War, but lacks depth and consistency in analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify causes and effects, showing limited understanding of the historical context.

Criterion 2

Evaluation of Key Figures

Assessing how well students identify and explain the impact of key Civil War figures.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly evaluates and integrates details on key figures, showcasing a deep understanding of their roles and impacts on the Civil War.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively evaluates the contributions of key figures with clear articulation of their impact on the Civil War.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies key figures but provides limited evaluation of their impact.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify or evaluate key figures, lacking in-depth insight.

Category 2

Research and Evidence Gathering

Focuses on students' abilities to conduct research and gather evidence to support their historical interpretations.
Criterion 1

Research Thoroughness

Evaluation of the depth and breadth of research conducted by students on chosen topics.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts extensive research from a variety of reputable sources, demonstrating comprehensive understanding and insight.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts thorough research, utilizing multiple sources to gather relevant information.

Developing
2 Points

Showcases basic research, relying on a limited range of sources.

Beginning
1 Points

Conducts minimal research with insufficient source diversity.

Category 3

Creative Presentation and Communication

Evaluates the students' ability to creatively present their findings and effectively communicate historical narratives.
Criterion 1

Presentation Quality

Assessment of how creatively and effectively students present their projects, making historical narratives engaging and accessible.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers an exceptionally creative and engaging presentation using innovative methods and clear communication.

Proficient
3 Points

Delivers a clear and effective presentation with creative elements that enhance understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Shows attempts at creativity but lacks coherence or engagement in presentation.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents findings with minimal creative effort, lacking clear communication.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of the Civil War's causes has evolved throughout this project. What new insights have you gained regarding the role of states' rights and slavery?

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Question 2

Rate your confidence in explaining the impacts of key figures on the Civil War's outcome after completing your Character Deep Dive Dossier.

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which Reconstruction plan do you believe was most effective, and why? Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses you discussed during the Reconstruction Policy Debate.

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Required
Question 4

Evaluate how your ability to analyze historical political controversies developed as a result of creating the "Controversies Uncovered" documentary. What skills did you improve and how might they benefit you in future historical inquiries?

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Required
Question 5

After completing the Virtual Time Capsule project, how would you rate your digital literacy skills related to creating immersive historical representations?

Scale
Optional