Reconstruction After the Civil War

Act out the story of a family who struggles to adjust to their lives after the Civil War ends. Southern states were left in disarray with slaves free, but homeless, poor, and uneducated. In this story, Patsy Berry, a former slave, awaits the return of her husband from war. She is devastated to discover that his military service has been extended, but is determined to have her family succeed. The six roles in this script are written at different reading levels, supporting differentiation and English language learner strategies. Teachers can easily implement these strategies by assigning specific roles to their students in a way that best accommodates readers of all levels. All students can participate in this activity, helping them gain confidence and feel successful while building fluency! An accompanying song and poem about the garden gives readers exciting additional opportunities to engage in the story and build fluency. Students will also practice other important skills like reading aloud, interacting cooperatively, and using expressive voices and gestures while performing this story together. All of the features in this colorful script make it the perfect tool for a diverse classroom of learners to practice repeated reading and fluency!