Abraham Lincoln is considered as one of the greatest presidents that the United States has ever had. As an iconic figure, Abraham Lincoln is well known among students, and teaching about the life and achievements of this influential historical figure is an important part of American history lessons. However, teaching about Abraham Lincoln can be challenging at times. Therefore, engaging students with a variety of activities can help them better understand Abraham Lincoln’s contributions and the era in which he lived.
1. Read Abraham Lincoln’s Biography: One of the best ways to introduce students to Abraham Lincoln is by reading an age-appropriate biography. This will provide students with the necessary background knowledge to understand his life and achievements. “Abraham Lincoln: A Photobiography” by Russell Freedman, and “Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books” by Kay Winters are some great books that teachers could use.
2. Create a Timeline of Abraham Lincoln’s Life: Students could create a timeline of Lincoln’s life, focusing on significant events in his life, such as his childhood, his law practice, his presidency, and his assassination. It will help students to organize and visualize the significant events in Lincoln’s life, which will help in classroom discussions.
3. Write a Letter to Gettysburg: Writing a letter to Lincoln about his famous Gettysburg address is an excellent way to help students understand the importance of that speech. This activity allows students to process Lincoln’s words and to express their own emotions and feelings about the speech.
4. Role-Playing Activity: Classrooms can role-play events from different historical situations, such as Lincoln’s life, to help students understand the importance of decision-making and leadership qualities in the context of his presidency. This activity allows students to take on roles and act out events that helped shape Lincoln’s presidency.
5. Create an exhibit: Encourage students to create a variety of exhibits, such as posters or dioramas, which showcase the significant events in Lincoln’s life, such as the Emancipation Proclamation or the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. This activity allows students to showcase their creativity and strengthen historical understanding.
6. Watch Documentaries: Watching documentaries on Abraham Lincoln also helps students to gain a better understanding of the era and the influence of Lincoln’s words and actions. Teachers can ask students to watch documentaries, report back to classmates, and discuss what they learned.
In conclusion, teaching about Abraham Lincoln is important since his contributions and impact on this country is significant. Utilizing activities that are innovative and engaging will help students better understand and appreciate the life and achievements of Abraham Lincoln. Through activities such as reading biographies, creating timelines, writing letters, role-playing, creating exhibits, and watching documentaries, students will deepen their understanding of the historical context and significance of this iconic figure.
