Teacher resources
Each section of this site--In Cartoons, In Person, and In Writing--has invited students and teachers to explore different aspects of how Lincoln was either the subject of or employer of humor and wit.
The resources that follow are designed to allow students, either independently or with the guidance of a teacher, to deepen their understanding of history by engaging in the close reading of texts. While the specific sources here are related to Lincoln, the strategies are useful for developing historical thinking skills applicable to any topic; an interpretive essay (below) makes the case that the skills one practices using this site will be helpful for doing history through project-based inquiry.
The resources that follow are designed to allow students, either independently or with the guidance of a teacher, to deepen their understanding of history by engaging in the close reading of texts. While the specific sources here are related to Lincoln, the strategies are useful for developing historical thinking skills applicable to any topic; an interpretive essay (below) makes the case that the skills one practices using this site will be helpful for doing history through project-based inquiry.
Engaging in Close Reading: Option 1: Self-Guided Learning for teachers, students, and anyone interested in learning how to do a close reading
Engaging in Close Reading: Option 2: Lesson Plan and Prezi for instructing a class in learning how to do a close reading
- Access the Prezi, which supports the lesson below, to guide students through the process of doing a close reading of a Lincoln document and to introduce the close reading assignment.
- Access the lesson via PDF or in the box below.
Why Do History? The essay below, using Storify, helps to make the case for shifting toward a more project-based curriculum, using the tools on this website as a starting point.