Title: Traveling through Lincoln’s Adulthood

Level: Third grade

Broad goals: The students will know what Lincoln’s careers were, and understand what inventions helped improve upon these careers. As well as appreciate the technology which has enhanced our society.

 Standards:  National standard- VII. Science, Technology and Society a. identify and describe examples in which science and technology have changed the lives of people, such as in homemaking, childcare, work, transportation, and communication

                        State standard- 16.A.1b Ask historical questions and seek out answers from historical sources (e.g., myths, biographies, stories, old photographs, artwork, other visual or electronic sources).

 List materials:  photo copied pictures, pre-made worksheet (chart and vocabulary list), yarn/string, tape, if you grew up with Abraham Lincoln book and joke book, computer paper, pencil, colored pencils

List Resources:

Books:

Freedman, Russell (1987). Lincoln A Photo Biography
            New York, NY: Clarion Books

Miles Martin, Patricia (1964). Abraham Lincoln

Totonto, Canada: Longmans Canada Limited
McGovern, Ann (1992). If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln
            New York, NY: Scholastic

Schenk de Regniers, Beatrice (1965) The Abraham Lincoln Joke Book

Woods, Andrew  (2002). Young Abraham Lincoln: Log-Cabin President

            U.S.A: Troll Communication L.L.C.

            Websites:

http://mrlincolnandfriends.org/

 Focusing activity: The student and I will discuss the previous week’s lesson and timeline. With question/answer time.

Q: Abraham Lincolns stepmothers name was?

            A: Sarah Bush

Q: How tall was Abe Lincoln?

            A: 6 feet tall

Q: Where did Abraham take his flat boat voyage to?

            A: New Orleans

“Ok boys and girls; remember last week when we talked about how Abraham Lincoln traveled to New Orleans on a flat boat….” Great! “Today we are going to talk about all the wonderful careers Lincoln had as well as, some inventions.”

 Purpose: Today we will understand what Abraham Lincoln was like as an adult and the way the way life changed for Americans because of new inventions and tools.

 Instruction: The teacher will be given a webbing chart and follow along with the teacher on the dry erase board/ paper.

Introducing what life was like in New Salem IL. (McGovern) and (Freedman). Printouts are provided.

Highlights of New Salem, IL:

·       Abe’s entire family moved to IL and they had their first prairie winter.

·       He had odd jobs; like building split rail fences, and building homes…Carpenter

·       Lincoln moved to new Salem a year later in 1831 to work for Denton Offutt in a General Store (what was one of his careers?) where he slept in the back room

“Once a woman gave him too much money for the things she bought. She was gone from the store before he saw this. He counted the money left over. 6 cents too much he said. He walked a long way to give this back to her.” This is how he got the name Honest Abe.

·       An Indian war flared up in northern IL and Abe enlisted in the militia (what job is the militia?)

·       Abraham Lincoln opened his own General store with William Berry (did you catch that?) What was his career again this time?

·       Abe Lincoln became the postmaster (what is this career?) A: mailman

The teacher will ask the students “what jobs did I mention Lincoln had?” Correct!

The teacher will then explain what life was like in Springfield IL. (Freedman) (McGovern). (See attached.)

·       Moved to Springfield in 1837 to become a Lawyer (Do you know what a lawyer is?) Is it a career?

·       In Springfield there was 6 grocery stores, 4 drugstores a bookstore, dry-goods stores (do u know what a dry goods store is?)…If you grew up with book

·       Became as lawyer in John T. Stuart’s law firm.

·       Lincoln was married to  Mary Todd

·       They had four children

·       This is the house they lived in (coloring page)

And continue to fill in to webbing chart with Lincoln’s careers and asking questions like

            What was the job called where Abraham Lincoln carried letters?

            John Stuart was Lincoln’s partner in what job?

Then with the teachers’ guidance, as well as help from the McGovern book pgs, (76-78).

The students will name some inventions that they believe could have helped Lincoln throughout his careers. (Postage stamps, telegraph…etc)

·       How did people travel? (horse, buggies, wagons, walked)

·       How did they get their clothes? (spinning wheel, at home)

·       How did they get their mail? (stagecoach, delivery)

How did things change? Read a portion of If you grew up with Abraham Lincoln book

The teacher will show an example of what is expected and encourage the students to do their best.

Conclude the lesson: The teacher will tell the students that they did a wonderful job today learning all about Lincoln’s careers and inventions, and to finish today I want you to write two sentences about what you learned today.

For example:  What job did Lincoln have before he became President? A: Lawyer

                        What was his first paying job? A: carpenter