GRADE 7 SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTIONAL TASK
Sectionalism Prior to the Civil War
This instructional task contains a set of primary and authentic sources about how the differences between the North
and South deepened the feelings of sectionalism leading up to the Civil War.
Alignment
This task addresses content related to the following grade-level expectations:
GLE 46: Explain the causes, effects, or impact of a given historical event in U.S. history (H-1A-M3)
GLE 68: Compare ways of life in northern and southern states and identify factors that caused rapid urbanization
and the growth of slavery (H-1B-M10)
GLE 73: Describe the economic, social, and cultural differences between the North and South, including the
advantages and disadvantages each had at the outbreak of the Civil War (H-1B-M12)
Contents
This sample task contains the following sections:

Primary and Authentic Sources

Extended-Response Task

Scoring Rubric

Scoring Notes

Printable Student Version
Task Directions

Teachers may choose to use or modify this sample as part of an instructional lesson or as a formative or
summative assessment.

Teachers should provide students access to the printable student version of the task, which excludes GLE
alignment and scoring information.

Students should then read or review the sources and answer the question.

For specifications about the task, please see the Assessment Guidance for grade 7.
GRADE 7 SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTIONAL TASK
Primary and Authentic Sources
Ask students to read and study the following sources about differences between the North and South and take notes in
the space next to the sources or on page 3 of the printable student version. Students should then use the sources to
answer the extended-response question on pages 4 and 5 of the printable student version.
Source 1: Compare Two Worlds: North vs South 1861,
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/map.htm
Source 2: The Civil War (click on all menu items),
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/static/neh/interactives/civilwar/lesson1/civil_war.swf
Source 3: Union and Confederate Resources,
http://www.granburyisd.org/cms/lib/TX01000552/Centricity/Domain/287/Fact_Sheet_U8_Union_and_Confederate_R
esources.pdf
Source 4: The Gathering Storm: Images of America on the Eve of the Civil War,
http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/lesson-plans/the-gathering-storm/indag.pdf
GRADE 7 SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTIONAL TASK
Extended-Response Task
Write a well-organized response on the lines provided on pages 4 and 5 in this answer document.
Compare and contrast the geography, economy, and society of the North and South at the outbreak of the Civil
War. How did the differences create advantages and disadvantages for each in the Civil War?
As you write, follow the directions below.





Your response should have multiple paragraphs.
Support your ideas with reasons, facts, and details.
Use evidence from each of the documents.
Include information and examples from your own knowledge of social studies.
Be sure to write clearly.
Use page 3 in this answer document for notes and planning. Write your final response on pages 4 and 5 in this answer
document.
GRADE 7 SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTIONAL TASK
Scoring Rubric
The response should be scored holistically on its analysis and content. Each response should be given the score that
corresponds to the set of bulleted descriptors that best describes the response.
Score
4
3
2
1
0
Social Studies Task Rubric
The student’s response
 provides an in-depth evaluation of the differences between the North and South leading up
to the Civil War and the advantages and disadvantages of each;
 supports the explanation with ample, well-chosen evidence that
o addresses or demonstrates understanding of the four sources, and
o integrates adequate relevant information beyond what is provided in the sources;
 contains valid historical understandings and interpretations with no errors significant enough
to detract from the argument.
The student’s response
 provides a general evaluation of the differences between the North and South leading up to
the Civil War and the advantages and disadvantages of each;
 supports the explanation with sufficient and appropriate evidence that
o addresses or demonstrates understanding of three of the sources, and
o integrates some relevant information beyond what is provided in the sources;
 contains mostly valid historical understandings and interpretations, although less important
ideas or details may be overlooked or misunderstood.
The student’s response
 provides a limited or partial evaluation of the differences between the North and South
leading up to the Civil War and the advantages and disadvantages of each;
 supports the explanation with limited and/or uneven evidence that
o addresses or demonstrates understanding of two of the sources, and
o integrates limited relevant information beyond what is provided in the sources;
 contains some valid historical understandings and interpretations, but a few significant errors
may be present.
The student’s response
 must include at least one valid historical understanding or interpretation that addresses the
prompt and is stated in the student’s own words;
 must demonstrate a minimal understanding of the topic;
 may contain several significant errors.
The student’s response
 is incorrect, irrelevant, or too brief to evaluate.
Scoring Notes
A strong response

references the sources appropriately:
o notes the geographical features and economic focus of the area (source 1 and source 2)
o notes differences between the regions across multiple categories (source 3)
o notes differences in land use and economies in the two regions (source 4)
GRADE 7 SOCIAL STUDIES INSTRUCTIONAL TASK

includes additional information about the regional differences, such as:
o
o
North had more resources in most categories
 Military
 Transportation
 Education
 Industry
 Economy
There is a direct connection between the climate and geographical features of the North and the South
and their economic differences:
 A warmer climate, longer growing season, and fertile soil fostered an agricultural economy in
the South.
 A denser population, less available land, and less ideal farming conditions contributed to the
development of an industrial economy in the North.
Printable
Student Version
*Note: Some sources are available only in digital format. A link is provided and will require the use of a
computer to view the source.
Directions: Read and study the following source sources about differences between the North and South. As you read,
take notes in the space next to the sources or on page 3 in this answer source. Then use the sources to answer the
extended-response question on pages 4 and 5.
Source 1: Compare Two Worlds: North vs South 1861,
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/map.htm
Source 2: and The Civil War (click on all menu items),
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/static/neh/interactives/civilwar/lesson1/civil_war.swf
Source 3: Union and Confederate Resources,
http://www.granburyisd.org/cms/lib/TX01000552/Centricity/Domain/287/Fact_Sheet_U8_Union_and_Confederate_R
esources.pdf
Source 4: The Gathering Storm: Images of America on the Eve of the Civil War,
http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/lesson-plans/the-gathering-storm/indag.pdf
1
Extended-Response Task
Write a well-organized response on the lines provided on pages 4 and 5 in this answer document.
Compare and contrast the geography, economy, and society of the North and South at the outbreak of the Civil
War. How did the differences create advantages and disadvantages for each in the Civil War?
As you write, follow the directions below.





Your response should have multiple paragraphs.
Support your ideas with reasons, facts, and details.
Use evidence from each of the documents.
Include information and examples from your own knowledge of social studies.
Be sure to write clearly.
Use page 3 in this answer document for notes and planning. Write your final response on pages 4 and 5 in this answer
document.
2
Use for notes and planning your response.
(This page will not be scored.)
3
Final Response
4
5