All Aboard, Abe! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will discuss how Abraham Lincoln traveled to the White House when he became president.

 

Social Studies Focus:

Presidents’ Day, then and now

 

CCSS:

SL.1.2 Discuss a video; L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases; RI.1.1 Key details; L.1.2.B Punctuation; W.1.1 Writing; RF.1.2.A Long vowels; RI.1.10 Read and discuss first-grade texts

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  • Before watching The Life of Abraham Lincoln, ask children if they know who he was.
  • After watching, remind kids that we celebrate Abe Lincoln on Presidents’ Day. Ask, “Would you like to be president one day? Why or why not?” (SKILL: SL.1.2 Discuss a video)
  • Play the vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are elected and stations. (SKILL: L.1.4 Clarify words and phrases)
  • Read the issue together.
  • Then project and discuss the reading checkpoint skill sheet. Later, children can fill in their own copies. (SKILL: RI.1.1 Key details)
  • Kids practice end punctuation to make Lincoln’s train go in this online game. (SKILL: L.1.2.B Punctuation)
  • Kids can pretend to be a reporter from Abe’s time by filling in the facts on this skill sheet. (SKILL: W.1.1 Writing)
  • Kids reveal a mystery picture of a train as they read long vowels with this skill sheet. (SKILL: RF.1.2.A Long vowels)
Example of a train with facts on it

Objective: Children will work collaboratively to create a steam train with a fact about Lincoln on each car.

Materials: Lincoln’s Train skill sheets, crayons, pencils, tape

  • In advance, cut out the front and back of the train. You can have volunteers color them, or do it yourself.
  • Give each child a train car to cut out. Have children write one fact they learned from the issue on their train car. They can also decorate the car, as long as it doesn’t hide their writing.
  • Finally, it’s time to assemble the train! Attach the front of the train to a wall. Then have children attach their cars one after another so they connect. After the last child’s car, attach the back of the train. Then let kids read each other’s work. All aboard! (SKILLS: RI.1.1 Key details, W.1.1 Writing)