Gettysburg Address Lesson Plans

"Fourscore and seven years ago" is the famous beginning of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. On November 19^th 1863 Abraham Lincoln delivered this speech during a period in history in which our country was involved in a civil war that divided the nation. The speech was made in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which was one of several locations where historic Civil War battles were fought. The Battle of Gettysburg was a three-day-fight which claimed the lives of more than 40,000 soldiers, from the North and South. Gettysburg was later named a national cemetery to honor the many individuals who had lost their lives to unite the developing nation.

The Gettysburg Address was a way to rally support for the cause after such devastating human losses, and honor those who had given their lives. Abraham Lincoln said ". . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth."

Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16^th president of the United States, was elected president in November 1860, several years before he made his landmark speech, the Gettysburg Address. His presidency marked a major turning point for the country. After the long, and bloody battles fought during the Civil War, the country would no longer be divided regionally by the issue of slavery. In addition to the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln is noted for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which freed all slaves in areas governed by the Confederacy. During Lincoln's two terms as president he accomplished several things that aided in the growth of the United States. He was the first president to establish the National Bank Act of 1863, but most importantly he was known and respected for handling the difficult task of working to unite the nation.

The Gettysburg Address is a great primary source document that can be made into an interdisciplinary unit that connects social studies and language arts. From a historical standpoint the document can be supported by some of these essential questions: What were Lincoln's intentions with the Emancipation Proclamation? What was the significance of the Gettysburg Address? What were some of the major issues that divided the country? Are all people treated equally even today? These essential questions can be presented before the unit and used a guided focus. Elements of language arts can also be incorporated into the unit by having students think about decisions and actions they had to take based on personal experiences. Some of these essential questions may include; How do we know how to make good decisions? How can a person's decisions and actions change his/her life or affect others? How can a person's decisions affect so many other people? These questions can be used to start dialogue and debate, and can even lead to the development of other essential questions posed by students. Students can also examine, and compare and contrast other historical speeches from a literary and historical perspective. Students can learn more about Abraham Lincoln, the Gettysburg Address and the Civil War with the lesson plans below.

Civil War and Gettysburg Address Lesson Plans:

Civil War Letters- This lesson plan connects history and English by analyzing a variety of primary source letters. Using the Internet, students review letters relating to major events in 1863, with an emphasis on the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. Students will write letters based on how individual lives were affected by these events.

Causes of the Civil War- This unit plan details the time period of 1861-1865. In addition, the unit also covers the different aspects of the Civil War including people, places, and events. Students are introduced to 12 essential guiding questions and will interpret important documents, such as the Gettysburg Address.   

"Across Five Aprils" - A Novel Study- In this language arts lesson plan students read the novel "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt. Students read this novel about the Civil War and make connections to real life experiences. Students also reflect on the novel and create presentations based on the reading.

Good Brother, Bad Brother-  In this unit plan students examine the lives of the Booth brothers. John Wilkes Booth is famous for assassinating Abraham Lincoln. Students will focus on the lives of these brothers during the Civil War. They also do research on how humans were affected by this war and will have a choice of either writing a research report, presenting a skit, or a computer slide show based on their findings.  

Causes of the Civil War - This lesson plan examines the division between the North and South that led to the Civil War. Students will be able to list differences and similarities between life in the North and South before the war. Students will discuss and debate these issues while in character.