Lesson 1: How Was Life Different in 1809?

The purpose of this activity is to give students background information on how life was during Abraham Lincoln’s childhood and adulthood. By having the students compare/contrast 1809 to 1860, students will be able to see how much the world had changed. Students will also be able to create a team book showing the differences throughout the years. By creating this book, students will practice their writing and researching skills along with learning from their other classmates.

Lesson 2 : Lincoln’s Schooling and His Jobs up to Presidency

 The students will learn about Lincoln’s formal and informal education and how it affected him in his future jobs, presidency and life. The students will also learn to sequence on a time line Lincoln’s education and jobs, and will construct “Jeopardy” like game to help them recall the jobs and education Lincoln had. Students will learn to appreciate education from formal and informal institutions and also the variety of jobs and experiences Lincoln had before his presidency.

Lesson 3  : How Has America Changed Over Time?

The purpose of this activity is to give students background information on how America once was. The students will be able to see what states became part of America at what times. Students will not only learn about how the layout of the land has changed but also how states were added to America and what events were going on in the world during that time period.

 Lesson 4: How did early settlers get to Illinois? What did they do with the land? What did it look like then?

The students will understand what the lives of the early settlers were like, how they reached Illinois, what they did with the land, and how their town of Charleston began. The students will learn to be sensitive to the facts of how the Native Illinois people were kicked out of their homes, how hard of a life the early settlers of Illinois had, and also appreciate how much their town has grown, both culturally and economically.

Lesson 5  : Who Was a Member of Lincoln’s Family?

 The purpose of this activity is to give students background information of important family members that were a part of Lincoln’s family. This is important for students to learn about because the individuals that we are going to talk about were people that helped shape Abraham Lincoln into the man that we know today.

Leson 6: Famous Explorers and the New Lands They Discovered

The students will learn about six explorers, how they discovered the new lands, what lands they discovered and a small amount of background information.Students will learn to appreciate how long it took for new lands in North America to be discovered, which these people were and how brave they were to trek into lands unknown.