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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Engaging students in a collaborative exploration of the “Gettysburg Address”

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=888

A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies

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In this lesson, students work together on inquiry-based projects in order to understand the message of Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”.

In this multi-genre activity, students will:

  • explore the history and meaning of the “Gettysburg Address”.
  • define critical words and phrases in the speech.
  • make connections between the speech and other resources related to the topic.
  • demonstrate understanding of this speech by creating a written and visual project to guide their discussion.
  • work individually and in cooperative groups.
  • present their group graphic to the whole class as a way of sharing their section and connecting their symbolic representation to the text.
  • write a summary of the “Gettysburg Address” in their own words.

Readwritethink provides links to an online graphic organizer and several other helpful resources for teachers to use for this lesson.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.04: Increase sight vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • listening.
      • discussion.
      • book talks.
      • book clubs.
      • seminars.
      • viewing.
      • role play.
      • studying author's craft.
  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
      • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
      • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
      • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
      • drama (skits, plays).
    • Objective 2.06: Summarize main idea(s) from written or spoken texts using succinct language.

Grade 4

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.04: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • knowledge of homophones, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms.
      • knowledge of multiple meanings of words.
      • writing process elements.
      • writing as a tool for learning.
      • seminars.
      • book clubs.
      • discussions.
      • examining the author's craft.
  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
      • fiction (legends, novels, folklore, science fiction).
      • nonfiction (autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals).
      • poetry (concrete, haiku).
      • drama (skits, plays).
    • Objective 2.06: Summarize major points from fiction and nonfiction text(s) to clarify and retain information and ideas.

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.02: Select key vocabulary critical to the text and apply appropriate meanings as necessary for comprehension.
    • Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • word reference materials.
      • content area study.
      • writing process elements.
      • writing as a tool.
      • debate.
      • discussions.
      • seminars.
      • examining the author's craft.
  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
      • fiction (tall tales, myths).
      • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
      • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
      • drama (plays and skits).

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: The learner will trace key developments in United States history and describe their impact on the land and people of the nation and its neighboring countries.
    • Objective 4.05: Describe the impact of wars and conflicts on United States citizens, including but not limited to, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the twenty-first century war on terrorism.