Reconstruction Amendments

Students will complete research on one of the Reconstruction amendments. After completing research, students will create a project demonstrating their knowledge of that particular amendment as if they are supporting that amendment during the era it was created. Their goal is to convince others why the amendment is necessary.  

Duration
Multiple days
Lesson Type
Project Based Lesson

Essential Question

How did the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments change society duirng the Reconstruction Era? 

Grade(s):

  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Chrome Books

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

Day One: 

  • Teachers should begin the lesson by showing one or both of the Reconstruction videos.
  • Next, students will pick which amendment they want to "support".
  • There should be several students completing each of the amendments.
  • Once students have picked their amendment, they will group with other students to complete research about the amendment they hope to "pass". 
  • They will use chrome books, trade books, textbooks, etc.
    •  Students need to discover what the amendment's purpose was.
    • Students also should know how it affected the lives of African Americans

Day Two: 

  • Once students have completed research, they will create a way of showing support for their amendment. They may create any type of project; however, it needs to be as if they are advocating for the amendment and its purpose. 
    • The project should  include:
      • Which amendment the student chose, (13, 14, or 15)
      • What the amendment did
      • How it is going to help African Americans
      • A picture representing the amendment
  • The project should be unique and attractive. 

Day Three: 

  • The teacher will bring the students back together as a whole group.
  • The students will be grouped based on the amendment they chose.
  • Together, they will decide which information is pertinent for the other students to know about why the amendment is necessary for society. This is now their advocate group. They will be experts on the amendment.
  • All the students will show their projects and together they will teach the class about that amendment. 
  • They will also answer questions from the other students who will be undecided citizens. The advocate group will then try to persuade the undecided citizens to become in favor of the amendment. 

Day Four:

  • Students will vote if the advocacy group made a good enough case as to why the amendment is necessary for society to be a better place. 
  • The lesson will close by having a discussion on the importance of the amendments and how they still have an effect today. 

Reconstruction Amendments

This is a summary for students to read about the amendments.

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Reconstruction Rubric

Rubric for project

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Brain Pop-Reconstruction Video

This video is an engaging way for students to learn about Reconstruction, the attempt to rebuild the South and reunite the country in the wake of the Civil War.

View Resource

Reconstruction Amendments video

Video that discusses that Reconstruction amendments

View Resource

Assessments

The students will complete a unique project based on one of the Reconstruction amendments.