Teachable Moment: Learning About Lincoln

Spielberg's 'Lincoln' is a great resource to feel as well as understand Lincoln.

It is always an important moment to learn about Abraham Lincoln. But Steven Spielberg has brought him to current prominence in a huge manner, much like Ken Burns did in the 90's with 'The Civil War' documentary. 

These are incontrovertible facts about Lincoln: he was born into extreme poverty in Kentucky during the formative years of the US; he was a pioneer boy, self taught--

reading, too-- in Indiana.  He lost his mother at an early age, and revered her input into his life. He was highly intelligent and motivated, becoming a successful pioneer lawyer in the early days of Illinois. He could read people. He had a conscience based on his morality. He was courageous. Did he have flaws? Of course. He retained a bias against Native Americans but continued to be willing to risk everything due to his belief that all men are created equal.

What a time to be a hero! An American period raw with passion, polarization, and violence. Kind of sounds like now.

Here are links that will help teachers put together pertinent information on Lincoln.

Movie Review: Lincoln 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/12/movie-review-lincoln.html?spref=tw 

I love American Rhetoric. Of course, there is not a recording of his voice, but you can find excellent actors reading his eternal speeches. Then you could compare them to Daniel Day-Lewis' interpretation. And you know I'll be reminding you to listen to FDR's 'Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself' speech on Dec. 7. 

1.  American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States
www.americanrhetoric.com/
I'm thinking you can find these in the library, but don't tell Amazon.com I said so,

2. THE 10 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN

 

http://www.amazon.com/BEST-CHILDRENS-BOOKS-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN/lm/RDGZFLW2A0MKB 

 

 

 

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/


Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of Team of Rivals, the basis of Spielburg's film and Barrack Obama's cabinet (he says the book inspired him.) Henry Louis Gates is a highly respected author and filmmaker who recently has specialized in helping folks find their genetic roots and family history and making documentaries, such asAfrican American Lives. I can't imagine a better team for this assignment. Check it out.

Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his Lincoln books. It is great history with a poetic flair every so often.

 Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and The War Years: Carl ...







For the upper grades:

Abraham Lincoln

http://ushistorysite.com/lincoln.php 

Thank you, Poetry Foundation, again, for having such wonders convenient and waiting.

Here are only two poems about Lincoln, both by Walt Whitman.

O Captain! My Captain!

Walt Whitman

By Walt Whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174742 
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d

By Walt Whitman
 http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174748 

Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lincoln freed all Americans, including those in the future. A free and appropriate education for all, including the handicapped. Voting rights, even for women. Equal pay for equal work. Freedom to be who you are, and the right to say it. 

The Civil Rights Movement is still moving because of Lincoln; let's keep in step.  

Activities for Lincoln's birthday

1. Celebrate Lincoln's Birthday

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/celebrate-lincolns-birthday-born-1809 

2. Abraham Lincoln
Learning Games and Activities for Kids 

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/abraham-lincoln/ 

By Ingri and Edgar Parin D' Aurlaire

3. THE 10 BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN

http://www.amazon.com/BEST-CHILDRENS-BOOKS-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN/lm/RDGZFLW2A0MKB 

I'm thinking most community and school libraries have these, too.

You knew I was going to bring up American Rhetoric.

4. American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/ 

There are seven speeches here by Lincoln, with various speakers. For example, there are six different  readings of  'The Gettysburg Address.' I really like Colin Powell's interpretation.

5. Abraham Lincoln Printables 

http://homeschooling.about.com/od/freeprintables/ss/lincolnprint.htm 

These include a wordsearch, vocabulary, crossword, challenge, others, but I really liked the Gettysburg Address page.

 Here is my previous post about the movie and life of Lincoln.

Movie Review: Lincoln 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2012/12/movie-review-lincoln.html 

Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln.