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Illustration depicting the Reconstruction era in the United States from 1864 to 1896.
Text-based layout of an essay titled "The Story of Reconstruction," with vocabulary words highlighted.
Handout titled "Iceberg Diagram" with prompts on federal and state government actions during Reconstruction.
Text document titled "President Andrew Johnson's First Annual Message, 1865," with guiding questions and objectives.

Unit 9: Reconstruction Student Handouts & Activities

Illustration depicting the Reconstruction era in the United States from 1864 to 1896.
Reconstruction Interactive Timeline
Activity

Activity

How successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
Text-based layout of an essay titled "The Story of Reconstruction," with vocabulary words highlighted.
The Story of Reconstruction Essay
Essay - 1429 Words

Essay

1429 Words

How did Lincoln and Johnson's plans for Reconstruction differ from congressional Reconstruction?
Handout titled "Iceberg Diagram" with prompts on federal and state government actions during Reconstruction.
Reconstruction Iceberg Diagram
Activity

Activity

Use this diagram to discuss the federal government’s visible actions and the hidden resistance to those actions in the South.
Text document titled "President Andrew Johnson's First Annual Message, 1865," with guiding questions and objectives.
President Andrew Johnson’s First Annual Message, 1865 Primary Source
Activity

Activity

The text of this speech with terms defined and reflection questions to guide an understanding of President Andrew Johnson's goals for Reconstruction.
Graphic organizer for President Andrew Johnson's First Annual Message, 1865, outlining key aspects and questions.
President Andrew Johnson’s First Annual Message, 1865 Graphic Organizer
Activity

Activity

Understand President Andrew Johnson's goals for Reconstruction.
Essay titled "The Freedmen’s Bureau and the Challenges of Reconstruction" with vocabulary list and statistics.
The Freedmen’s Bureau and the Challenges of Reconstruction
Essay - 1144 Words

Essay

1144 Words

How did Reconstruction impact the lives of formerly enslaved people and their families?
Document outlining student instructions for a lesson on the Legacy of Reconstruction with sticky notes.
Reconstruction and Resistance: Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan Primary Source Set
Activity

Activity

Seven images that showcase the legacy of Reconstruction.
Document outlining student instructions for a lesson on the Legacy of Reconstruction with sticky notes.
Reconstruction and Resistance: Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan Anticipation Guide
Activity

Activity

A warm-up activity to introduce students to key concepts.
Text layout of a document titled "Oral Histories of Formerly Enslaved Individuals" with guiding questions and objectives.
Oral Histories of Formerly Enslaved Individuals Primary Sources
Activity

Activity

Three stories of formerly enslaved individuals and their experiences after the Civil War.
Graphic organizer for discussing the Reconstruction period and its impact on African Americans, featuring structured argument sections.
Reconstruction Point-Counterpoint – Graphic Organizer
Activity

Activity

Engage diverse viewpoints, perspectives, and ideas to understand pluralism within an American identity.
Essay page with title "Reconstruction Point Counterpoint," including vocabulary section and discussion issue.
Reconstruction Point-Counterpoint Essay
Essay - 1011 Words

Essay

1011 Words

How successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
Essay titled "The End of Reconstruction" with vocabulary terms and a word count displayed.
The End of Reconstruction
Essay - 1211 Words

Essay

1211 Words

How successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
Document outlining student instructions for a lesson on the Legacy of Reconstruction with sticky notes.
Legacy of Reconstruction Primary Source Set
Activity

Activity

Seven images that showcase the legacy of Reconstruction.
Handout titled "Legacy of Reconstruction," featuring a timeline with sections labeled "End of Reconstruction" for the 1860s and 1880s.
Legacy of Reconstruction Handout
Activity

Activity

Identify and describe factors that led to the end of Reconstruction and how those factors had lasting effects.