Programming

Obviously, Freedman's books can be used for history lessons, social studies lessons, or as biographical focuses for a variety of classes. They also work for literature discussions,
read-alouds, and occasionally can be translated into readers theater, especially when subject quotations are available. The following program activities are just guidelines or suggestions to get the ideas flowing. If you have any suggestions, please email them to me and I will post them as soon as I get a chance!

For students in the 5th through 8th grade to focus on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. The following lessons are based Russell Freedman's 1988 Newbery Medal winner, Lincoln: A Photobiography. During these lessons, students:

	Write an essay comparing and contrasting Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis
	Research the presidential campaign of 1860 and create a campaign poster for Lincoln
	View photography from the Civil War and write a newspaper article to accompany a photograph
	Create a biography poster illustrating a chapter from Lincoln: A Photobiography showing the difficulties Lincoln faced throughout his life
	Design a Dialog Jacket and/or Character Map using Lincoln's famous quotes and writings

In their study of Lincoln and the Civil War, students focus on the following questions:

	How did Lincoln continue to pursue his goals in the face of adversity and inner conflict?
	In what ways did Lincoln sacrifice personal beliefs for the good of the country?
	What was Lincoln's position on the issue of slavery?
	What were the causes and events leading up to the Civil War?
	How did the new technology of photography forever change the "image" of war?

	You can use the following activities to help students integrate their own writing with the reading they are doing in the unit:
	Select one of the minor characters in a book you have read, and write a series of journal entries using the voice of that character. Before you begin writing, think about the following questions: What experiences has the character had? How do you think he or she might feel about these experiences? What hopes or dreams might the character have? How does the character feel toward other characters in the book, and why?
	Write a speech in which you express the views of an abolitionist or of someone who wants to preserve the institution of slavery. Before you begin writing, make an outline of the major points you want to make. Decide who your audience will be, and think of ways in which you could appeal to the emotions of this audience. When you have completed a first draft of your speech, practice delivering it to a friend or family member. Ask your practice audience for advice on revising your speech to make it more powerful and persuasive.
	Imagine that you have been transported through time to the Civil War era. Write a story telling about the adventures you have there. First think about the geographical setting of your story -- did you land in the North or the South? Whom did you meet there? What happened next? How does it feel to be in the middle of a civil war? When you have written a first draft of your story, share it with a classmate and talk about ways you could improve the story in the revision stage.

	Which character in the books you read did you find the most interesting? Why? What ideas and feelings about the Civil War did this character have? How did these ideas and feelings change over the course of the book? What experiences did the character have that caused these changes?
	After studying the Civil War era, do you think it is obvious which side was right and which was wrong? What issues were at stake in the war besides the continuation of slavery? Did your opinions or feelings about the war change as a result of your work in this unit? If so, how?
	Did you find the Internet helpful in learning more about the Civil War? Which sites were the most helpful or interesting? Is using the Internet a fun way to find information? What other topics would you like to explore on the Net?