Lesson by Stacie Christensen
Essay by Jonathan W. White, Christopher Newport University
Grade Level: 3-5
Number of Class Periods: 1
Primary Era:National Expansion and Reform, 1815–1860
About This Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will explore Abraham Lincoln’s early life through his own autobiographical sketch, written in 1859, and one of his earliest photographs. They will compare the documents and discuss how these primary sources help us understand history and perspective and demonstrate their understanding through a short response to two essential questions.
Lesson Plan Author: Stacie Christensen
Historical Background Essay by Jonathan W. White, Christopher Newport University
Additional Information About This Unit
Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3: Describe relationships among events, ideas, or individuals in a historical context.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.2: Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2: Write informative/explanatory texts.
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
Who was Abraham Lincoln?
What qualities made Abraham Lincoln a good choice for president in 1869?
Documents
Documents
Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Jesse W. Fell, 1859
Abraham Lincoln’s summary of his own life, 1859
Photograph of Abraham Lincoln, 1846 or 1847