Abraham Lincoln Statue Activity
“Create and Place Your Statue”
By: Jamie Pryor; educator from Litchfield, IL
Lincoln on the Tri-State Heritage Trail Summer Geography Institute; June, 2009
Overview:
This activity will allow students to research different statues of Abraham Lincoln. Students will particularly be
focusing on the location of the statue and what part of Lincoln’s life is being depicted.
Materials Needed:
 Modeling clay for each student
 Copies of the “Looking for Lincoln” and “Lincoln In My Eyes” worksheets for each
o student
 Teacher and student access to the following website:
 www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/interactives/maps/interactive-maps-lincoln-statues-across-thecountry/187/
Pre-Teaching Activities:
Preview the website. The interactive map allows the user to click on a statue of Abraham Lincoln in a
particular location. Information about the artist is also given. Choose statues for students to research. There
are over forty mentioned on this map.
Instruction:
Have students access the website. Students should research the statue location they have been assigned. While
researching, they should complete the “Looking for Lincoln” worksheet. This worksheet will focus student
attention on the location of the particular sculpture and what is represented by the art. Have them share their
findings with the class, displaying the particular statue the student researched so that the rest of the class can see
which location was researched.
Continuing the instruction, provide each student with a modest amount of modeling clay. Students should
construct a sculpture depicting an event or symbol pertaining to Abraham Lincoln. For example, a student
might make a book from their clay. Following the modeling students should complete the worksheet “Lincoln
in My Eyes.” The worksheet asks students to name their piece of art, explain how their event or symbol is
related to Lincoln, and then place their statue at an appropriate location. Using the example of the book, a
student might choose to place it at New Salem, Illinois, since Lincoln was known to be found reading while
even riding his horse.
Post-Teaching Activities:
Set up a table with a map of the United States as a table covering. Have students place their completed
sculptures on the location where they would be displayed. Invite students from other classes to view the visual
representations that have been created!
Looking for Lincoln
Name:_____________________________
Please complete the following information as you research your assigned statue.
Name of Statue:________________________________________________
Location of Statue:_______________________________________________
When was this statue dedicated?_____________________________________
Who was the artist?______________________________________________
How is Abraham Lincoln shown?_____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
What part of Abraham Lincoln’s life is being depicted?_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_________________
Type your artist’s name into a search engine. Using an appropriate website, list five facts about
this artist.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Again, use a search engine to answer this question. Type “Lincoln Statue in ____”. In the
blank you will put the name of your statue’s location. List five pieces of information you find.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Using complete sentences, give your opinion on the following thoughts.
Do you think this is a good representation of Abraham Lincoln? Why or why
not?
Why is this statue located here?
What purpose does this statue have?
Lincoln In My Eyes
Name:______________________________
After you have finished your sculpture, please complete this worksheet.
Name of Your Sculpture:___________________________________________
Where will your statue be located?____________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Why did you choose this location for your statue?________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
What part of Abraham Lincoln’s life does your statue depict?________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Would you have a special ceremony to dedicate your statue? Why or why not? What would
your dedication ceremony be like?___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_________________
What purpose will this statue serve at this location?_______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
What does your statue mean?________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________