Educational Resources
A. Lincoln: Selected Documents, 2d ed. - The following primary resource reader contains selected Abraham Lincoln documents.
A. Lincoln Confronts Slavery and Race: A Documentary Reader - The following primary source reader was created for a Knox County Schools (TN) Social Studies Teacher Professional Development Workshop Seminar.
Featured Lesson Plans
President Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation - Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation of "thanksgiving" encouraging Americans to observe the last Thursday in November as a Day of Thanksgiving. Explore the document and its history, along with supplementary materials that help highlight the text of Lincoln's proclamation itself, as well as questions for discussion for students.
Educational Resources from the ALLM
The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum dedicates itself to providing educational opportunities to adults, children, and seniors of all backgrounds on the life of Abraham Lincoln, the American Civil War, life in 19th century Appalachia, and American citizenship. Learn how the ALLM can assist you with your educational visit.
Lincoln Letters for Kids - President Lincoln Wants YOU for Lincoln's Army! Will you answer the call?
Building Historical Skills - Lessons on Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, and American Civics - In these lesson plans, designed for Grades K-12, students will be introduced to both the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum and the work of museums with age-appropriate vocabulary, discussions, and activities. These activities, which will compliment your visit to the Museum meet NCHS Historical Thinking Standards.
Additional Educator Resources
The following are various Lincoln-related curriculum resources and lesson plans:
The Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom's First Steps (EDSITEment!, National Endowment for the Humanities) - Grades 9-12: Students examine the Emancipation Proclamation, how Lincoln formulated it, what the public thought of it, and the era in which it was drafted.
Virtual Field Trips (Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.) - Distance learning for Grades K-12. The site of the assassination of President Lincoln presents a virtual tour, classroom aids, and distance learning resources.
Abraham Lincoln on Slavery and Race (Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History) - Grades 9-12: This lesson covers the extension, restriction, and reorganization of political democracy after 1800; and sources and character of cultural, religious, and social reform movements in the antebellum era. Sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Lincoln Classroom Resources (Lincoln Home NPS, Springfield, Illinois) - Various ages: Online information about the Lincoln home and family, issues of the times and related historical characters.
Lincoln's Spot Resolutions (National Archives, Washington, D.C.) - The following teaching with documents lesson plan covers topics in a speech Lincoln made during his sole term in Congress in the 1840s. It includes teaching activities and document analysis worksheet.
Lincoln Lesson Plans (Northern Illinois University Digital Library) - Online lesson plans on the Lincoln-Douglas Debates; Anti-Slavery Movement; Black Hawk War; Cherokee Removal; Lincoln, Patriotism and Protest; Songs of the Times.
Lincoln Goes to War - (EDSITEment!, National Endowment for the Humanities) - Grades 9-12: Students learn about the secession crisis of 1861 and how the Lincoln administration responded to it.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum - Various Lincoln resources, lesson plans, teacher and exhibit guides, and more from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, Illinois)
National Park Service - Lincoln educational resources and lesson plans from various National Park Service historical sites.
Ford's Theatre - Various Lincoln resources and lesson plans on topics such as Lincoln's assassination, the Second Inaugural Address, the Fourteenth Amendment, Emancipation, Reconstruction, and more from Ford's Theatre (Washington, D.C.).
President Lincoln's Cottage - Various Lincoln resources and lesson plans on topics such as Lincoln's Summer Retreat, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Second Inaugural Address, Reconstruction, American Civics, and more from President Lincoln's Cottage (Washington, D.C.).
The Civil War in East Tennessee - Various educator resources such as lesson plans and student activities, primary sources, articles, and much more from the East Tennessee Historical Society (Knoxville, TN).
National History Day (NHD)
NHD is an academic program for students, grades 6-12. Students select a topic, conduct extensive primary and secondary research, and analyze and interpret their conclusions. They can choose to present their work through a website, exhibit, performance, documentary, or original research paper. The contest begins at the school level, with winners advancing to state and then to nationals. Teachers and sponsors involve students in NHD participation through school and system-wide competitions, history clubs, home school co-ops, and family groups. An independent, national evaluation finds that NHD students perform better in a variety of skills important to life and employment success.
The Abraham Lincoln Center for Leadership and Public Policy works closely with Ms. Natalie Sweet, the Northeast Tennessee History Day coordinator to share program information with teachers, students, and sponsors. Northeast Tennessee History Day is the regional contest for students in Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, and Union counties.
The Northeast Tennessee History Day regional contest is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024 at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN. For more information, please contact Ms. Natalie Sweet.
Tennessee History Day is the state affiliate of National History Day and the 2025 state contest is scheduled in Nashville, Tennessee for April 5, 2025.
The national National History Day contest is scheduled for mid-June 2025. Visit the NHD website for more information.
