Civil Roots

This worksheet supports students in Grades 6 and 7 as they develop analytical writing, historical reasoning, and evidence-based explanation through a structured essay focused on Reconstruction’s lasting impact. Students write a short, multi-paragraph essay explaining how Reconstruction-era laws, leaders, and social changes laid the groundwork for later Civil Rights Movements, clearly connecting 19th-century developments to 20th-century advancements in equality and justice.

Instructional Objectives

• Analytical Essay Writing (Grades 6–7) – Students plan and write an organized essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Cause-and-Effect in U.S. History – Learners explain how Reconstruction policies and struggles influenced later civil rights progress.
• Using Historical Evidence – Students support claims with examples from laws, leaders, and social changes of the era.
• Long-Term Historical Connections – The activity emphasizes continuity across time periods in the fight for civil rights.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with middle school ELA and social studies standards.
• Clear Writing Structure – Guided prompts help students organize ideas and maintain focus.
• Builds Academic Confidence – Supports students as they practice extended, multi-paragraph explanations.
• Flexible Classroom Use – Ideal for assessments, writing workshops, unit culminating tasks, or enrichment.
• Low-Prep Printable – Ready for classroom or homeschool use with minimal preparation.

This Civil Roots worksheet helps students understand Reconstruction as a critical foundation for later Civil Rights Movements. By organizing ideas into a clear essay and supporting them with historical evidence, learners strengthen analytical writing, deepen historical comprehension, and gain confidence explaining complex social and political change over time.