Lesson Plan #6
By Laura Siciliano
Overview: Students will participate in a role play of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.
Lesson Goals: Students will better understand the many challenges facing Abraham Lincoln as
President of the United States by participating in a role play/skit about him and his presidency.
Rationale: It is important for students to understand the presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
Objective: Students will be able to explain the challenges facing the Lincoln presidency
and why Abraham Lincoln made some of the decisions that he made.
MA Learning Standards:
USI.38 Analyze Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, the Emancipation Proclamation (1863),
his views on slavery, and the political obstacles he encountered.
Methods: Active learning, discussion, group work.
Materials: Textbook, access to media center.
Procedures:
1) Students will be divided into groups of 3-4 students.
2) Each group will be given one of the “Lincoln scenarios” (attached) and “Lincoln Role
Play” assignment sheet. .
3) The groups will need to research about their assigned scenario. The class will have
between 1-2 days in the media center.
4) After they have completed research, the groups will create a role play/skit of more than
1 minute in length, but less than 5 minutes in length. Their role play will showcase their
assigned scenario and based upon research, examine Abraham Lincoln’s decision making
process and possible decisions that he would have made.
Assessment: Groups will be assessed based upon attached rubric.
Abraham Lincoln Role Play
Directions: You have been assigned to a group. Your group will shortly
be given a scenario related to the Abraham Lincoln presidency. Your
group will have approximately 1-2 days in the media center to research
about your scenario and Abraham Lincoln. After research is completed,
your group will create a role play/skit to demonstrate the following: 1)
what your scenario is about 2) how Abraham Lincoln might have
responded to your scenario 3) why Abraham Lincoln would have
responded in that manner. See rubric below for assessment:
Rubric (Assignment is worth 80 points):
Skit/Role play—More than 1 minute long, less than 5 minutes long, well
planned out, organized, thoughtful and detailed.
50 points_______
Research-Research regarding Abraham Lincoln is accurate and used
appropriately.
15 points_______
Scenario—Scenario is addressed thoughtfully, creatively and with
historic accuracy based upon research
15 points_______
TOTAL _______
Abraham Lincoln Scenarios
Scenario #1 –Abraham Lincoln offers his brother-in-law, Ben Hardin
Helm, a Southerner, a position in the Union army.
Scenario #2 –Abraham Lincoln learns of the failures of Bull Run.
Scenario #3 –Abraham Lincoln debates issuing the Emancipation
Proclamation.
Scenario #4 –Abraham Lincoln decides to relieve General McClellan of
his command.
Scenario #5 –Abraham Lincoln meets with Frederick Douglass.