A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction

Culminating Assessment

Ask students to write a story that William Jasper might tell his children and grandchildren explaining what life was like for Virginians, particularly African American Virginians, during Reconstruction. Explain that students will need to include specifics from this history as an integral part of their story. It might be useful to take some time during English/Language Arts to complete this writing, since it provides students with practice in “writing effective narratives and explanations,” (Grade Four English Standard of Learning 4.7).

A rubric might specify that an exemplary piece of writing would:

• Accurately and clearly discuss two or three historical specifics from Reconstruction

• Connect the lives of individuals to the actions of Congress and Virginia state government

• Demonstrate evidence that the student planned, wrote, revised and edited their narrative.