Curated OER
We Must Not Be Enemies: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Students complete a unit of lessons on the historical context and significance of Lincoln's inaugural address. They analyze archival documents, campaign posters, historical photographs, and primary source documents, and listen to songs...
Curated OER
Lincoln Goes to War
Students examine the secession crisis of 1861 and the significance of the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. They read and analyze Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, conduct research, and write an executive memorandum.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: The First Inaugural Address (1861)—Defending the American Union
Students explore the content of Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. In this Abraham Lincoln instructional activity, students analyze the text of the speech to determine how Lincoln sought to preserve the Union from secession...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Recipe for an Inaugural Address
An inaugural address represents the first moments of a new beginning. Using John F. Kennedy's speech as a model for guided practice, groups examine the ingredients of an inaugural address. Individuals then repeat the analysis process...
Curated OER
The Union In Peril: Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address
In this research skills worksheet, students research the noted website to discover details about Lincoln's Inaugural Address and then respond to the provided analysis questions.
Teaching American History
A Word Fitly Spoken: Lincoln's Most Famous Speeches on Union
Abraham Lincoln's words carried American democracy through one of its most tenuous and violent moments in the nation's short history. Explore an interactive timeline that places events of the 19th century in the context of Lincoln's...
K20 LEARN
The Emancipation Proclamation: Expanding The Goals Of The Civil War
Should Juneteenth be recognized as a national holiday? To prepare to take a stance on this question, young historians first analyze the Emancipation Proclamation and compare it to Lincoln's first Inaugural Address. Scholars then read an...
University of California
The Civil War: Lincoln’s Speeches
Abraham Lincoln is responsible for uniting the states during the most tumultuous periods in American history, and for his elegant oratory that kept the Union believing in its cause. Young histoians analyze various speeches by America's...
Curated OER
Presidents and the Constitution: Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
Students consider the impact of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students read a narrative regarding the move by Lincoln to officially end slavery. Students take notes on the case and respond to...
Lessons on American Presidents
Abraham Lincoln
Honor Abe Lincoln with a set of activity-based worksheets that can be used independently and in collaborative groups. Young historians participate in a listening activity where they fill in the missing blanks in a passage while being...
Curated OER
Lincoln and the War’s Larger Meaning
Students analyze Abraham Lincoln's view of the Civil War. In this American Civil War lesson plan, students read excerpts of Lincoln's speeches to determine whether he had a dual view of the war. Students respond to discussion questions...
US National Archives
Inaugural Quiz!
Inauguration Day is a time-honored tradition to celebrate the transition between presidential inaugurations. How much do you know about the history of the ceremony itself? High schoolers test knowledge about Inauguration Day with an...
Curated OER
Abraham Lincoln on the American Union: " A Word Fitly Spoken"
Young scholars consider Lincoln's perspective. In this presidential perspectives activity, students explore the political thoughts of Lincoln through a series of lessons that make use of primary source analysis. They hypothesize and take...
Curated OER
A Press Conference With Abraham Lincoln
Fifth graders hold a press conference with Abraham Lincoln.
Curated OER
The Movement of Ideas
Twelfth graders read and analyze the literary elements of Alphonse Daudet's "The Last Lesson" and Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. They compare the two works and write an essay describing the reasons they feel the authors...
Curated OER
Could the Civil War Been Avoided Through Compromise?
High schoolers determine whether the American Civil War could have been avoided. In this Civil War lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources to prepare to participate in a classroom debate that requires them to compromise to...
Library of Congress
The Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment
How did the Emancipation Proclamation lead to the Thirteenth Amendment? Middle schoolers analyze primary source documents including the text of the Emancipation Proclamation, political cartoons, photographs, and prints to understand the...
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Common Core Reading Standards: Understanding Argument
What does your class know about logical fallacies? They can find out quite a bit and practice identifying logical fallacies if you follow the steps and use the resources provided here! After reviewing ethos, pathos, and logos, ask small...
Curated OER
Primary vs. Secondary Sources Notes
What’s the difference between primary and secondary source materials? Here’s a handout, designed as a reference for learners, that does a good job of distinguishing between primary and secondary source materials and providing examples of...
Curated OER
America's Wars
High schoolers classify information regarding American involvement in wars. In this classification instructional activity, students examine the causes of the war in which the United States has been involved, and classify them as mainly...
Curated OER
The Pony Express
Young scholars plot the route of the Pony Express. They discover the kinds of terrain it crossed. They calculate the number of legs needed to cover the distance of its total route.