US History: A New Approach to Teaching the Reconstruction Era

The Reconstruction era, most commonly viewed as the period from 1865 to 1877, was a monumental struggle for freedom and democracy in the face of violent backlash. The study of the Reconstruction era in American history is essential to an understanding of citizenship and democracy in the United States today. During this online seminar, you will examine how Americans were faced with the challenge of restoring a nation amid the social and political upheaval of the Civil War. You will learn to teach about the Reconstruction era using an approach that helps students connect this history to their own lives and the choices they make today.

By the end of this seminar, you will be able to:

1. Plan and implement a unit of study, built on the Facing History methodology, that focuses on the Reconstruction era of American history and the challenges of creating a just democracy in a time of deep division
2. Use critical resources and teaching strategies to help students explore the idea that democracy can only remain vital through the active, thoughtful, and responsible participation of its citizens
3. Use historical and contemporary examples to develop students’ understanding of Reconstruction’s legacy and the importance of presenting an accurate account of this era
4. Use new teaching strategies that help students interrogate texts, write and think critically, and discuss controversial issues respectfully
5. Learn how to facilitate respectful classroom discussions on difficult issues such as racism, bigotry, and other forms of exclusion in a way that invites personal reflection and critical analysis

Taking place over three days, this seminar offers a real-time, interactive online classroom where participants will connect in facilitated whole- and small-group sessions. 

Seminar At-a-Glance Details

Who should take this seminar: 7th–12th grade US history, humanities, and English language arts teachers and curriculum specialists.

Cost: We charge a non-refundable processing fee of $25 when your application has been accepted. The full event cost of the seminar has been covered by generous funding from Facing History & Ourselves donors and partner organizations.

Schedule: Tuesday, July 25 – Thursday, July 27, 2023:

• Tuesday, July 25: 11 AM – 4 PM ET (see in your time zone)
• Wednesday, July 26: 11 AM – 4 PM ET (see in your time zone)
• Thursday, July 27: 11 AM – 4 PM ET (see in your time zone)

Time Commitment: Approximately 4.5 hours per day (plus some breaks). There is a pre-work module to complete before the seminar that is approximately 2 hours in length.

Format: Facilitated Zoom meetings with session materials in Canvas.

Accessibility: Facing History is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive educational environment for educators of all abilities. If you have an accessibility need, please contact us at support [at] facinghistory.org (support[at]facinghistory[dot]org).

Certificate of Completion: Awarded upon successful completion of the seminar for 15 professional development hours. Requirements for professional development hours vary by state. It is the educator's responsibility to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of their state. If you are an educator based in New York, after taking this course you are eligible for 15 CTLE hours. If you are an educator based in Illinois, after taking this course you are eligible for up to 15 clock hours. Please contact support [at] facinghistory.org to learn more about CTLE or clock hours.