Civil War and Reconstruction Learning Guide Home:School Connections Unit Overview Students will discover that the new nation was still fragile after its birth in the late 1700s. Events leading up to the Civil War will be identified by the students, as will the difference between the northern and southern states that divided Virginians and led to the secession, war, and the creation of West Virginia. Students will describe the role of Virginia in the war and identify major battles that took place within our state at Manassas, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Norfolk, Hampton, and Appomattox. After the war ended at Appomattox, the nation began to rebuild, and the students will study the effects of Reconstruction on life in Virginia. What problems did Virginians face? What measures were taken to resolve these problems? These challenges will be discussed. The effects of segregation and “Jim Crow” laws on life in Virginia on whites, African Americans, and American Indians will be compared. As our nation began to heal, students will describe the importance of railroads, new industries, and the growth of cities to Virginia’s economic development. Key Terms and Concepts Your student may come home discussing new terms and concepts. Here are just a few so you can continue the conversation: 
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Reconstruction Civil War 
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segregation secession 
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“Jim Crow” laws sharecropping Home Support There are a number of ways you can support your student during this unit. These are just a few suggestions:  You can visit many historical battle sites around Mechanicsville. Visit the Civil War Trails website and look for these sign markers as your drive around the area. Talk with your child about what happened at these locations.  Segregate your household to demonstrate the hardships faced by African Americans. Create “adult only” and “children only” parts in the house such as bathrooms, sinks, specific rooms, or even specific seats in the house. Make sure you talk to your child about how they felt about the experience. Relate this to the struggles of African Americans during the reconstruction period.  Study a map of the U.S. and identify the Confederate and Union states. Note how big Virginia was when it included West Virginia. Books and Websites Here are some books you can read to your child.  On to Richmond: The Civil War in the East by  My America: My Brother’s Keeper by Mary Pope Osbourne James Arnold  Fields of Fury: The American Civil War by  African American History: The Civil War by James McPherson Jennifer Howse  Rosetta, Rosetta, Sit by Me! by Linda  Life Under the Jim Crow Laws by Charles George Walvoord There are many kid‐friendly websites to explore the Civil War. A few worth checking out are:  Civil War: National Parks System – [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html]  American Civil War: Kids Zone – [http://www.americancivilwar.com/kids_zone/causes.html]  BrainPOP: Civil War – [http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/freemovies/civilwar/]  Tredegar Digital Dispatchers: For Kids! –[http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/civilwar/podcasts/kids/]  Reconstructions and Its Aftermath – [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart5.html]  Virginia Trekkers‐ [http://www.virginiatrekkers.com]