Introduction
Welcome: A Speech Never Forgotten
Curriculum: Social Studies, English Language Arts
Grade Level(s): 11
Suggested Technology: Computer for Presenter, Internet Connection, Speakers/Headphones
Instructional Time: 2 Hour(s)
Keywords: Gettysburg, Lincoln, Gettysburg address, Civil War, speech
Through this web resource from the Civil War Trust, students will be able to study and listen to Lincoln's greatest speech as read by some of the film industry's greatest actors. After a group debate or discussion over the Gettysburg address, students will write the script in their own words making it relevant to the times as if delivering a current state of the union address.
Task
http://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/lincoln-gettysburg-address-speech-text/ -Text
https://youtu.be/ndmcgAsA1aI - Video of Address by notable members of society
After watching the video and reviewing the text of the address students will transcribe a short essay on what the speech meant to them and the History of the United States. They will also rewrite the address as it would apply as if given in todays times.
Process
Students will first be briefed on the days lesson of the Gettysburg address and a short description of its historical significance. Then all attention will be required as to view the video of the address being read by face that may strike them as familiar.
https://youtu.be/ndmcgAsA1aI - Video to be Viewed
Afterwards students also will have a text copy of the speech provided by a handout from the website listed below.
http://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/lincoln-gettysburg-address-speech-text/ - Gettysburg Address for printing
- Moderated by the instructor, students will then engage in a debate over the key points of the speech or what each student took from it.
- After which the students will transcribe a short essay on what the speech meant to them and the History of the United States.
- They will also rewrite the address as it would apply as if given in todays times.
Evaluation
The evaluation process will be comprised of two objectives to be graded:
- Short essay on the historical significance of the speech. Also what it meant to the people of the times followed by what it means to them as well as the history of our great nation.
- Students will then rewrite the address as if it were being written and given in our modern era and being delivered to the people of the United States today.
Conclusion
Congratulations!
As the future of our country you have now learned about one of its most definitive moments and are aware of the profound impact words can have on others. Hopefully this lesson has touched your lives as much as it has touched those there that day and most of Americans since its delivery. I strongly encourage you to continue your study of Abraham Lincoln as he was a profound figure in our nations history and an incredible man to learn from. If interested a few books you may check out...
"Team of Rivals" By Dorris Kearns Goodwin
"Tried by War" By James M. McPherson
"Lincoln" by David Herbert Donald
Credits
Credit given to the following webpages:
http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceUrl/Preview/59608 - Lesson Plan Example
https://youtu.be/ndmcgAsA1aI - Gettysburg Address video recording read by political/societal celebrities
http://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/lincoln-gettysburg-address-speech-text/ - Actual text for speech handout
Teacher Page
This lesson was intended for students in 11th or 12th grade level to not only instill the significance of the turmoil our country was under but the great leaders that help guide us out of such troubled times. Intended to promote further knowledge of the issues at hand but also to promote free thinking and expression when students are asked to describe its significance and to create their own modern day address.