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Educator Resource

Reconstruction (1865-1877) Middle School Teacher Unit Overview

Unit 9 of Building a Self-Governing People BRI’s Civics and U.S. History Curriculum for Middle School, invites students to examine the challenges of rebuilding the nation after the Civil War, including the issue of race relations and the struggle to create a new social order. The unit emphasizes the success and failures of Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans.

Published
Nov 3, 2025

 

Unit Outline

Unit 9: Reconstruction (1865-1877)
Examine the challenges of rebuilding the nation after the Civil War, including the issue of race relations and the struggle to create a new social order.
Assessment Focus:

All skills

  • Creating a thesis
  • Grouping primary sources
  • Document summary and analysis (VIEW)
  • Adding historical context
  • Using/providing evidence

 

 DBQ/ Essential Question:

How successful was Reconstruction in addressing the challenges of rebuilding the nation and ensuring equal rights for African Americans?
DBQ Resources:

  • Deconstructed DBQ Assignment Sheet and Document Set Handout Set
  • Scaffolded Deconstructed DBQ Assignment Sheet and Document Set Handout Set
  • Deconstructed DBQ Graphic Organizer
  • Unit 9 Slide Deck
  • Unit 9 Model Organizer and Scoring Guide Teacher Resource
  • Unit 9 Deconstructed DBQ Document Set and Teacher Context Teacher Resource
  • Reconstruction Civics and U.S. History for Middle School Video
Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3
Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction African Americans in the Post-War Era End of Reconstruction
Guiding Question:

How did Lincoln and Johnson’s plans for Reconstruction differ from congressional Reconstruction?

 Guiding Questions:

What were the experiences of African Americans during Reconstruction?

How did Reconstruction impact the lives of formerly enslaved people and their families?

 Guiding Questions:

What factors led to the end of Reconstruction?

What was the legacy of Reconstruction for the nation?
Resources:

 Resources:

 Resources:
Principle(s)

  •  Justice, Equality
 Virtue(s) 

  • Courage

Standards

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