Back to American History 2 Books & Resources

Reconstruction 1866-1877 (3 weeks of study)

is for resources that should be available at most well-stocked libraries. The other icons are explained by the text right next to them.

A History of Us Book 7 Reconstructing America
Reading level: 5.6

Advanced book

Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule
Reading level:  Grade 6.9

You can browse this book online at Simon and Schuster. You can actually look at chapters 1-16 online to see if you like the book.

Choose either Forty-Acre book, but not both. The Forty-Acre Swindle book is from a Christian series of books and also mentions George Washington Carver. It takes place later in time than the other book, but covers some of the same basic concept(s) I wanted to cover.
I personally read Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule and thought it was a great book.

 You may want to read this short Wikipedia article to your student for background information.

The Forty-Acre Swindle

(See above.)

The Story of the U.S.A. book 3 American Becomes a Giant
Grades 4-8

This workbook covers Reconstruction through the Korean War. "Each chapter opens with a vocabulary section of 5 to 10 words with pronunciations. Passages are followed by multiple choice, fill in the blank, and true/false questions with a writing and discussion element at the end of the chapter."

I've scheduled in these workbooks because they provide an easy to understand framework and also provide practice for comprehension skills, vocabulary and more.

You can get a teeny preview at Rainbow Resource.

Sounder (boy)
Reading level:  Grade 4.9

WARNING: Sounder is one of those high emotion books with sad things that happen in it. If your child is very sensitive, you may want to preview it or substitute another title.

Reader

Glencoe Study Guide for Sounder

You can download a high quality, free  study guide for Sounder from Glencoe Literature. It is an excellent resource with teacher’s notes and student printables. Some of the contents are: major themes in the novel, understanding allusions, assessment options, meet the author, background about the novel, vocabulary, analyzing literature questions, writing assignments and much more. This is the choice I scheduled in. If you are short on time or working with a younger student, you’ll want to skip it or choose one of the other guides.
Another option is a webpage hosted by Yale that contains comprehension questions and vocabulary words (without the definitions) as well as writing activities and literary techniques.

Scholastic also has a literature circle guide with some discussion questions.

Children of the Fire (girl)
Reading level: Grade 5.8 (based on true events with fictional characters)

You can browse this book online at Simon and Schuster. You can actually look at chapters 1-14 online to see if you like the book.

Reader

Reconstruction Junction (Chester Comix)

You can see an online preview of Reconstruction Junction.

I really like sprinkling in comic book style books for some of the readers. They really appeal to visual learners and help some students better retain information. Besides that, they are fun!

Reconstruction Junction Teacher’s Guide with Activities

The guide has teaching ideas, vocabulary, writing prompts, questions and fun activities!

Andrew Johnson: Seventeenth President 1865-1869 (Getting to Know the Us Presidents)

Otter LOVES these books written and illustrated by Mike Venezia. Even my big kids read them all as older teens because the information is presented in such an engaging and easy to retain style.

All of the Venezia books I schedule in are optional for the president's study, but they are so fun, you might want to check out at least a few. Most libraries will have these books, so you probably won't need to purchase any.

President book

PBS American Experience: Reconstruction

Younger students may be bored by the PBS series on Reconstruction. You may also want to preview for any mature content.

You can watch the entire thing FREE online.

DVD, Discovery Streaming or free online

Sounder DVD

If you don't want to read the book or want to add a movie about this time period, you might wanted to check out this rated G movie based on the book Sounder.

DVD

Coolies
Reading level: 3.8

From the book jacket:

"Accompanied by the breathraking illustrations...this story-inspired by actual events in the history of the American railroad - reveals the harsh truth about life for thousands of Chinese laborers, while it celebrates the love and loyalty between to brothers who were determined not only to survive, but to succeed."

Reader (Picture book)

Little House on the Prairie
Reading level: 4.3

I have always loved all of the Little House books. This one will give you a glimpse into life on the prairie. It's a classic and even worth a re-read, if you've read it before.

Reader

Homeschool Share Little House on the Prairie Lapbook

If you want to do lapbooking over the next 3 weeks, I suggest the following options: either do just the Little House on the Prairie lapbook (week 1-3) or do the lapbook about prairie dogs (week 1) and then the lapbook about Thomas Edison which is listed in the next set of resources (weeks 2-3). It would probably be overwhelming to try to attempt ALL of the lapbooks listed. I’ve only scheduled them all to give you a variety of options. I’m also taking into account that 2 of the lapbooks are free and one is not. Choose according to you time and money budget and/or interest level.

Dandelions
Reading level: 3.1

This book features warm illustrations and a simple, sweet story of a family settling into a new life in Nebraska Territory.

Picture book

The Toughest Cowboy: or How the Wild West Was Tamed
Reading level: 5.5

*Warning: This book is humorous and features pictures of nose picking cowboys (so it’s a little crude in that aspect). Preview if that type of humor is offensive to your family.

Picture book

PBS American Experience: Transcontinental Railroad

This is yet another PBS documentary! Preview it as there may be portions inappropriate for younger viewers. Younger students may also find it boring.

DVD or Discovery Streaming

Rutherford B. Hayes: Nineteenth President 1877-1881 (Getting to Know the Us Presidents)

Otter LOVES these books written and illustrated by Mike Venezia. Even my big kids read them all as older teens because the information is presented in such an engaging and easy to retain style.

All of the Venezia books I schedule in are optional for the president's study, but they are so fun, you might want to check out at least a few. Most libraries will have these books, so you probably won't need to purchase any.

President book

America's Prairies and Grasslands: Guide to Plants and Animals

I thought a book like this would be appropriate to help students really understand just what the prairie is. The illustrations are very kid friendly and introduce all sorts of animals and plants.

An alternative book to the America’s Prairies and Grasslands book is A Walk in the Prairie by Rebecca L. Johnson. The scheduled book has nice, colorful illustrations. The alternative book is mainly photographs. You can see free previews of both at Google books: America’s Prairies and Grasslands and A Walk in the Prairie

Non-fiction book (science)

Prairie Dogs

This books has lots of close-up photos and not only teaches a student about prairie dogs but how they fit into the prairie ecosystem. It's optional, but for students who love animals, you might want to check it out.

Non-fiction book (science)

Homeschool Share Prairie Dog Lapbook

Here's another optional lapbook choice.

Next

Other NON-scheduled resources you can use during this portion of the study: