Civil War and Lincoln Lincolns Speeches

Goals & Objectives

Students will be able to describe why the Gettysburg Address, Second Inaugural Address,
and Emancipation Proclamation are important to US History.

Students will, through a written document analysis handout and partner discussion, show
how the Addresses are important to our nations history.

California State Content Standards

8.10.4 Discuss Abraham Lincolns presidency and his significant writings and speeches and
their relationship to the Declaration of Independence, such as his Houses Divided speech
(1858), Gettysburg Address (1863), Emancipation Proclamation (1863), and inaugural
addresses (1861 and 1865).

Common Core Literacy Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a
text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6 Identify aspects of a text that reveal an authors point of view or

purpose (e.g. loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).

Driving Historical Question

Why are the major speeches of the Abraham Lincolns significant?

Lesson Introduction (Anticipatory Set/Hook/Accessing Prior Knowledge) Time: 8 mins

Students will be given the titles of the three speeches with no information given on any of
them. They will then participate in a discussion about what they believe each speech is
about and why it was given.

Vocabulary (Content Language Development) Time: throughout lesson

This lesson is coming in the middle of the unit so students will have already been exposed
to the vocabulary on their vocab sheets. Vocabulary words will be pointed out throughout
the lesson.

Content Delivery (Method of Instruction) Time: 15 mins

Students will read the three speeches and annotate the texts using thinking notes.
**NOTE** Students will not need to pay attention to the guided reading prompts in the
Emancipation Proclamation file.
Student Engagement (Critical Thinking & Student Activities) Time: 15 mins
Students will use the written document handout after reading the speeches. They will be
allowed to work with one partner in filling out the handout. Students will also be asked to
think about how people of the time reacted to Lincolns words and write their ideas at the
bottom of each handout.

Lesson Closure Time: 5 mins

Students will answer the following question in a short paragraph.
Why were the three speeches from todays activity so influential to the people of the
1860s?

Assessments (Formative & Summative)

Written document handout serves as a formative assessment. These handouts will show
that students are able to actively read and analyze a primary source.

The lesson closure will show what students have learned over the course of the lesson and
if/what needs more instruction.

Accommodations for English Learners, Striving Readers and Students with Special Needs
Students will be allowed to work with partners, giving all students the opportunity have
help if they need it. The teacher will also be walking around the room.

Resources (Books, Websites, Handouts, Materials)

Gettysburg Address
Second Inaugural Address
Emancipation Proclamation
Written document handout (3 copies per student)