Abe Lincoln’s Jobs
Transcript of Abe Lincoln’s Jobs
Introduction: Abraham Lincoln was smart, strong, and sensible. With a love for learning but little formal education, the jobs he had in his youth often involved manual labor and hard work. He was able to use these early work experiences when he became president of the United States during one of the most challenging times in the nation’s history.
Grade Level: 2–5
Time: 15–20 Minutes
Objectives:
• ThestudentwillrankjobsthatwereheldbyAbrahamLincolnaccording to various criteria.
• Thestudentwilldiscussthemeritsanddifficultiesofvariousjobs.
Materials:
• Abe Lincoln’s Dream
• JobRankingCards(below), printed on card stock and cut into individual cards
• Optional:APennyforYourThoughtsactivitysheet(below)
• Optional:2009bicentennialone-centcoinsforstudentinspection
Procedure:
1. Introduce the lesson by telling the students that they will be listening to a story about a girl who meets the ghostofAbrahamLincoln,thesixteenthpresident.Challengethestudentstofigureoutwhatistrueinthestoryandwhatismake-believe.
2. ReadaloudthebookAbe Lincoln’s Dream.Thistakesaboutfourminutes.
3. Share the author’s afterword with the students. It gives details concerning the historical facts in the story.
4. TellthestudentsthatbeforeAbrahamLincolnbecamepresidenthehadmanyotherjobs.
5. Ask the students if they know what a “job” is. Jobcanbedefinedas“apieceofworkusuallydoneonorderatanagreed-uponrateorapaidpositionofregularemployment.”
6. Hold up the prepared job cards and read them one at a time, telling the students that these were some of the jobs that Lincoln had when he was younger. Discuss what kind of work each of these jobs entailed (RailSplitter:physicalstrengthandknowinghowtocutwoodwithanaxe.FlatboatPilot:physicalstrengthandknowledgeofboatsandtheMississippiRiver.StoreClerk:knowledgeofmoneyandmerchandiseandknowinghowtogetalongwithpeople.Postmaster:knowledgeofpostalregulationsandgeography.Surveyor:goodmath,writing,andgeographyskills.Lawyer:knowledgeofthelawandgoodspeakingskills.USCongressman:knowledgeoflaws,history,andpeoples’needsandwants).Allofthesejobsrequiredthetalent and energy of Mr. Lincoln.
7. Askforsevenvolunteerstocometothefrontoftheroomandgiveeachajobcard.Tellthevolunteerstohold the cards out so that the cards can be seen by the members of the class.
8. Instruct the students in the class to arrange the cardholders in order of the amount that Lincoln was paid for eachjob,fromleasttomost.Whenstudentsappearsatisfiedwiththerankingorder,discusstheirdecisions.Thereisno“correct”ordertothisranking.Continuetheactivitybyintroducingotherrankingscenarios:
• Healthiesttotheleasthealthy.
• Mostadventuroustothedullest.
• Safesttothemostdangerous.
• Onesneedingthemostamountoftraining/educationtotheonesneedingtheleast training/education.
• ThosethatmostpreparedAbrahamLincolntobepresidenttotheonesthatleastprepared him to be president.
9. ThislessonmaybeenrichedorextendedusingtheAPennyforYourThoughtsactivitysheet.Thecontentforthisactivityisbasedonthe2009bicentennialone-centcoins.Ifpossible,haveexamplesofthesecoinstoshow to the students.
10. Distributetheactivitysheetsandwritingtoolstothestudents.Theymayworkindependentlyorinsmallgroups.
11. Readtheintroductionanddirectionstothestudents.Emphasizethattherearenorightorwronganswersandthatcreativeanswersareencouraged.Possibleanswersincludearchitect,author,axemaker,barber,blacksmith,bricklayer,buttonmanufacturer,cabinbuilder,cobbler,flagdesigner,glassmaker,groundskeeper, lumberjack, printer, rail splitter, seamstress, shingle maker, stonemason, and weaver.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abe Lincoln’s Jobs
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Job Ranking Activity Cards
Rail Splitter
Flatboat Pilot
Surveyor
Postmaster
US Congressman
Lawyer
Store Clerk
Thesefourdesignsappearonthereverseofone-centcoinsmintedin2009,the200thanniversaryofAbrahamLincoln’sbirthday.EachshowsatimeinLincoln’slife.ThelogcabinrepresentshisbirthplaceinKentucky.AsayoungmaninIndiana,he read every chance he got, even when splitting rails. Later was elected to the IllinoisGeneralAssembly.TheUSCapitoldomewasunfinishedwhenhefirstbecamepresident(itwascompletedbytheendoftheCivilWar).
Directions: Createalistofatleasttenjobsrepresentedbyitemsonthecoinsabove.Useyourproblem-solvingskillsandthink“outsidethecircle.”
Example: A tailor would have made Lincoln’s suit.
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Extension Activities
Drama: BecauseLaneSmithusesauniquefontforeachcharacter’sdialog,thisbookcaneasilybeturnedintoafour-partreaders’theaterscript.
Reading:ThroughoutAbe Lincoln’s Dream, Quincy and Abe Lincoln’s ghost tell each other sillyjokes.Takeadvantageofthissillinesstointroducethestudentstothelibrary’scollectionofjokeandriddlebooks(DDC818).
Web Resources:TherearemanyAbrahamLincolnlessonsandactivitiesavailable.
Macmillan’s activity guide features mapping skills, a creative writing prompt, anacrosticpoem,andawordsearchpuzzle:http://media.us.macmillan.com/activityguides/9781596436084AG.pdf
SomeexcellentLincolnlessonsandactivitiesarepostedontheUSMintTeacherResourcewebsite:www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/cents.
• StoryHourwithLincolnincludesaLincolnCentImagespage,LincolnBeardand Hat template, and a Lincoln Bookmark template.
• The2009LincolnBicentennialOneCentProgramincludesgrade-levellessonplans,worksheets, and activities.
Research: Thiswhimsicalpicturebookreferencesagreatdealofhistoricalcontent.Thetopicsin the list below are all mentioned in Abe Lincoln’s Dream and would work well as subjects for researchprojects.Someothersuggestionsfortheiruseincludethefollowing:
• Selectatopic.Writetwofactsandtwoopinionsconcerningit.
• Drawanillustrationofoneormoreofthetopics.
• Pickatopicandwritedownthreequestionsyouhaveconcerningit.
• Choosetwotopics.Listthreewaystheyarealikeandthreewaystheyaredifferent.
• Writesonglyricsbasedononeofthetopicstothetuneofeither “OldMcDonaldHadaFarm”or“LondonBridgeIsFallingDown.”
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abe Lincoln’s Dream
Research Topics1. Abraham Lincoln2. USFlag3. USCivilWar4. Fala(FranklinDelano
Roosevelt’sScottishterrier)5. George Washington6. Gettysburg Address7. Lincoln’s Bedroom 8. Apollo 11 Moon Landing
9. MountRushmore10.NationalCherryBlossom
Festival11.President’sDay12.Rex(RonaldRegan’sCavalier
KingCharlesspaniel)13.RiverQueenSteamboat14. Statue of Liberty 15.TheodoreRoosevelt
16.ThomasJefferson17.UnitedStatesCapitol18.Washington,DC19. Washington Monument20. White House 21.WhiteHouseRoseGarden22.Yuki(LyndonJohnson’s“mutt”)
Introduction: TheconversationbetweenQuincyandLincoln’sghostrevealsthatthepresidentis concerned about the fate of the nation. However, as troubled as he is, this does not prevent himfromrevealinghisloveforjokes,riddles,andwordplay.Lincoln,oneofourmostquotedpresidents, was also a master of practical advice and good common sense.
Grade Level: 2–5
Time: 20–30 minutes
Objectives:
• ThestudentwilluseadecodingkeytodiscoverfamousquotesfromAbrahamLincoln. • Thestudentwillinterpretquotesusingcontextcluesandpre-knowledge.
Materials:
• Abe Lincoln’s Dream • Visual:AbrahamLincoln’sWiseWords(seebelow) • Activitysheets:AbrahamLincoln’sWiseWords1,2,and3(seebelow) • Writingtools
Procedure:
1. Introduce the lesson by telling the students that this activity is based on the wise sayings ofPresidentAbrahamLincoln.Iftimeallows,readthebookAbe Lincoln’s Dream to the students.Thistakesaboutfourminutes.
2. DisplaytheAbrahamLincoln’sWiseWordsvisual.Readthedirectionsandfillintheremaininglettersonthegridasademonstrationforthestudents.Thecompletedquotationwillread:“Leavenothingfortomorrowwhichcanbedonetoday.”
3. AskthestudentswhattheythinkAbrahamLincolnmeantinthisquote.
4. Distribute the activity sheets and writing tools. Students may work individually or in groups.
5. Checkforunderstanding.
6. Discussthequotesandtheirmeaningswiththestudents.
EXTENSION:Challengestudentstocreatetheirownquotationcodes.Bepreparedtosupplythemwithpaper,pencils,anddirectionstothequotationbooksinthelibrary’scollection(DDC082).
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
Answer Key
Activity I: “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Activity II:“Thebestwaytodestroyanenemyistomakehimafriend.”
Activity III: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spendthefirstfoursharpeningtheaxe.”
Abraham Lincoln had little formal education, yet he was a wise man. He is well known for his thoughtful speeches and sensible statements. Use the chart below to decode one of his quotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorrespondingnumber.Thefirstwordhasbeendone for you.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
A B C D E F G H I1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9L M N O R T V W Y
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
10–5–1–16–512–13–15–8–9–12–76–13–14
15–13–11–13–14–14–13–1717–8–9–3–8
3 – 1 – 12 2 – 5 4 – 13 – 12 – 5 15 – 13 – 4 – 1– 18.”
“ L E A V E
Usethechartbelowtodecodeoneofhisquotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorresponding number.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
A B D E G H N1 2 3 4 5 6 7O R T U V W Y8 9 10 11 12 13 14
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
13–6–1–10–4–12–4–914–8–111–9–42–4
1 5 – 8 – 8 – 3 8 – 7 – 4
“
.”
,
Usethechartbelowtodecodeoneofhisquotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorresponding number.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
A B D E F H I K1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8M N O R S T W Y9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
14 – 6 – 4 2 – 4 – 13 – 14 15 – 1 – 16 14 – 11
3–4–13–14–12–11–161–104–10–4–9–167–13
14–119–1–8–46–7–915–12–7–4–10–3
“
.”
Usethechartbelowtodecodeoneofhisquotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorresponding number.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
A C D E F G H I L M1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10N O P R S T U V W X11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
6 – 8 – 18 – 4 10 – 4 15 – 8 – 20 7 – 12 – 17 – 14 – 15 16 – 12 2 – 7 – 12 – 13
3–12–19–11116–14–4–41–11–3819–8–9–9
15 – 13 – 4 – 11 – 3 16 – 7 – 4 5 – 8 – 14 – 15 – 16 5 – 12 – 17 – 14
15 – 7 – 1 – 14 – 13 – 4 – 11 – 8 – 11 – 6 16 – 7 – 4 1 – 20 – 4
“
.”
Abraham Lincoln had little formal education, yet he was a wise man. He is well known for his thoughtful speeches and sensible statements. Use the chart below to decode one of his quotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorrespondingnumber.Thefirstwordhasbeendone for you.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
A B C D E F G H I1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9L M N O R T V W Y
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
10–5–1–16–512–13–15–8–9–12–76–13–14
15–13–11–13–14–14–13–1717–8–9–3–8
3 – 1 – 12 2 – 5 4 – 13 – 12 – 5 15 – 13 – 4 – 1– 18
“ L E A V E N O T H I N G
T O M O R R O W W H I C H
F O R
C A N D O N E T O D A YB E .”
ANSWER KEY
Usethechartbelowtodecodeoneofhisquotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorresponding number.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
A B D E G H N1 2 3 4 5 6 7O R T U V W Y8 9 10 11 12 13 14
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
13–6–1–10–4–12–4–914–8–111–9–42–4
1 5 – 8 – 8 – 3 8 – 7 – 4
“
.”
,
ANSWER KEY
W H A T E V E R Y O U
A GOOD O N E
A R E B E
Usethechartbelowtodecodeoneofhisquotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorresponding number.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
A B D E F H I K1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8M N O R S T W Y9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
14 – 6 – 4 2 – 4 – 13 – 14 15 – 1 – 16 14 – 11
3–4–13–14–12–11–161–104–10–4–9–167–13
14–119–1–8–46–7–915–12–7–4–10–3
“
.”
ANSWER KEY
T H E
D E S T R O Y
T O A
B E S T
A N
M A K E
W A Y
E N E M Y
F R I E N D
T O
I S
H I M
Usethechartbelowtodecodeoneofhisquotationsbyplacingtheletterabovethecorresponding number.
Web Resource · Library Lessons · November 2014 • LibrarySparks
Abraham Lincoln’s Wise Words
What do you think Abraham Lincoln meant when he said this?
A C D E F G H I L M1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10N O P R S T U V W X11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
6 – 8 – 18 – 4 10 – 4 15 – 8 – 20 7 – 12 – 17 – 14 – 15 16 – 12 2 – 7 – 12 – 13
3–12–19–11116–14–4–41–11–3819–8–9–9
15 – 13 – 4 – 11 – 3 16 – 7 – 4 5 – 8 – 14 – 15 – 16 5 – 12 – 17 – 14
15 – 7 – 1 – 14 – 13 – 4 – 11 – 8 – 11 – 6 16 – 7 – 4 1 – 20 – 4
“
.”
ANSWER KEY
G I V E
S P E N D
S H A R P E N I N G
D O W N
S I X
F I R S T
A X E
T R E E
H O U R S
F O U R
A N D
T O
I
C H O P
W I L L
M E
T H E
T H E
A