Students bring the Reconstruction era to life by creating short TikTok-style videos or mini-podcasts that share the voices, struggles, and hopes of African Americans after emancipation. This hands-on project engages learners in analyzing history, building empathy, and using creative storytelling to give power to real experiences of freedom and resilience.

Creating an in-depth project can feel overwhelming, but this one walks students through every step with purpose and structure.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):
1. Character Creation: Students design a fictional but historically accurate freedman or freedwoman based on real evidence.
2. Planning Stage: Guided worksheets help students outline their story, write a script or segment plan, and decide how to present it.
3. Production Stage: Students record and edit their TikTok or podcast episode using their completed plan as a guide.
4. Reflection: A short written reflection encourages students to connect their project to broader themes of freedom, opportunity, and ongoing struggles after emancipation.
5. Teacher guide and grading rubric included

Grade Levels: 8–12
Duration: 3 class periods 
Skills Developed: Historical analysis, creative storytelling, authentic communication
DOK 3