The Gettysburg Address was a short speech—only about two minutes in length—but its reach has been long. Video segments from a panel of scholars, an historian talking about the printing of the speech, a re-enactment of the speech, and a pupil's view of the days after the address help individuals consider its legacy. Afterward, pupils consider why the speech has gripped the historical imagination of America.

Concepts

gettysburg, the battle of gettysburg, the gettysburg address, abraham lincoln, civil war, battles of the civil war, american history

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Offer video segments before an analysis of the speech
• Create a jigsaw activity to analyze other famous presidential speeches

Classroom Considerations

• Expects teachers to create a free account or access with the username: students and the password: C-SPANCLASSROOM
  

Pros

• Videos allow for a deep dive into an important document in American history
• Re-enactment is engaging 

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.6-8.1 RH.6-8.2 RH.6-8.4 RH.6-8.6 RH.6-8.10 RH.9-10.1 RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.4 RH.9-10.6 RH.9-10.10 RH.11-12.1 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.4 RH.11-12.6 RH.11-12.10