Teaching Civics with Children’s Literature: Abraham Lincoln for Kids

Abe Lincoln

Summary and Overview
Who would have ever guessed that a homely looking, depressed and underestimated man who was self-educated and was born into major poverty would soon become the greatest President of all time? In Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities , author Janis Herbert does a phenomenal job in providing little bits and pieces of information about the man responsible for creating equal rights among slaves and uniting our country during the bloodiest of all wars that we have ever faced. Filled with fun and interesting facts and activities for students and teachers, this book is a must for all students who want to explore the life of Abraham Lincoln.

Despite suffering major depression, Abraham Lincoln always provided a handshake for every one of his visitors and never hesitated to smile or laugh when around children, mostly his own. He even grew a beard at the request of a young girl who suggested it would get him more attention from the ladies and make him more handsome. He never hesitated to pay visits to the wounded soldiers in hospitals during the war and he always welcomed hundreds of visitors to the White House. Every time a person visited him, Lincoln always cracked a joke, making his visitors leave in a state of joy. Lincoln was a man on a mission and this book recounts his mission from beginning to end.

Lincoln has been quoted more than any other president in U.S. history and this book lists several of his most famous quotes, including:

“Let us not be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, nor frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the government nor of dungeons to ourselves. Let us have faith that right makes right, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it!”

“We begin by declaring that all men are created equal. But now from the beginning we have run down to the other declaration, that for some men to enslave others is a ‘sacred right of self-government.'”

Curriculum Connections:

This book presents an enormous amount of information about the contributions contributions that Abraham Lincoln made to the American Public during the 56 years he was here on Earth (2.11, 3.11b). With this book, students learn that Lincoln was not just a homely looking man with a beard, mole and untidy black hair; students learn that Lincoln was one of our greatest leaders of all time, striving for the virtues of honesty, respect and genuineness. This book is an excellent learning tool for students not only in the classroom but in the outside world as well. Students learn a lot of life lessons with this book that they should adhere to very seriously.

Additional Resources:

Abraham Lincoln Online This unique website provides unlimited amounts of information about Abraham Lincoln. An interesting facet of this website is entitled “Today in Lincoln’s Life,” which allows students to step back in time to the days of Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln for Primary Children: Perfect for elementary school students, this website is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and provides fun and interesting activities for kids. With this website, students can take an Abe Lincoln treasure hunt, view photos of Lincoln and even test their knowledge of Lincoln with an Abe Lincoln quiz. Also a great website for teachers to plan their activities.

Apples4the Teacher:  Filled with puzzles, photographs, games and stories featuring our greatest president, this website provides hours of nonstop entertainment for both teachers and students.

General Information:

Book: Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities

Author: Janis Herbert

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Publication Date: 2007

Pages: 160

Grade Range: 3-6

ISBN: 978-1556526565

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