Teaching Reconstruction
 

I'm a first year 5th grade teacher that has been put in charge of the SS plans for our grade. I'm really struggling to find enough gradable activities for the students to do. So far I have them making a newsletter answering the Who, What, When, Where and Why questions. I am also making up a quiz for the end of the week, but other than that I don't have any ideas to make the learning more exciting. There is a lot of book reading, and not enough engaging activities. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Quick ideas off the top of my head:
 

Create a timeline with the material
Create a mindmap
Create a play and act it out
Do an oral report about a specific topic

not sure if it would be possible for you
 

I was able to take my class on a field trip to a house that was on the underground railroad. The folks were great and talked about all sorts of things from the time period. We will be writing about it and also constructing a model house.