Literature Unit: Abraham Lincoln

In K-2, I used Heart of Dakota curriculum with Isaac. Part of each day was storytime, which entails mom reading aloud good chapter books from 9 different genres: biography, adventure, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, nonfiction, humor, realistic fiction, and folktales. We spend 4 weeks on each genre (2 weeks on the last one), and some sort of activity is included (narrations, story webs, compare/contrast charts, writing, etc). For grade 3, I continued the storytime from the 9 genres, but instead of using Heart of Dakota plans I decided to do a lapbook for each story. We still spend 4 weeks on each unit. I read aloud a portion each day, and we either do a narration/discussion, relevant youtube video clips, or a lapbook assignment.

The first book we did is Abraham Lincoln, by Anne Colver. Here are the plans we followed:

Weeks 1-4 Biography: Abraham Lincoln (Anne Colver)

1.1 Discuss what a biography is, KWL Chart, read pages 7-9
1.2 Read pages 10-12, narrate chapter 1, character trait study on honesty, discuss keeping promises, what Bible says on swearing
1.3 Read pages 13-16, lapbook booklet on pioneers (log cabin shape)


1.4 Read pages 17-20, narrate chapter 2, map Lincoln’s homes so far (Kentucky, Indiana)

1.5 Read pages 21-23, start characters booklet


2.1 Read pages 24-26, narrate chapter 3, Lincoln’s booklist (book shape)


2.2 Watch video on Lincoln’s growing up years:

Read pages 27-29, add Illinois to map
2.3 Booklet on Indian War, read pages 30-32, narrate chapter 4, discuss honesty in this chapter

2.4 Read pages 33-35, start Abe Lincoln job booklet, add to booklist

2.5 Read pages 36-40, narrate chapter 5, add to character booklet
3.1 Read pages 41-45, add to character booklet, discuss kindness to animals and importance of freedom in this chapter, color cover for lapbook

3.2 Read pages 46-50, narrate chapter 6, character map and sketch of Lincoln’s good qualities


3.3 Read pages 51-53, add to jobs booklet and map, watch video on slavery:

3.4 Read pages 54-56, narrate chapter 7, add to character list, job list, booklet on slavery


3.5 Read pages 57-59, discuss Lincoln's family and do booklets


4.1 Read pages 60-62, narrate chapter 8, comparison of story of Jesus and the children
4.2 Read pages 63-65, booklet on Civil War, Gettysburg Address copywork






Watch video on the Gettysburg Address:

4.3 Read pages 66-70, narrate chapter 9, booklet on presidential pets, view website on presidential pets.


4.4 Read pages 71-73, booklet on Ford’s Theatre, see pictures on Ford's Theatre website


4.5 Read pages 74-77, narrate chapter 10, add to characters booklet, Lincoln Memorial booklet, see construction at this Lincoln Memorial website.


We did some other booklets as well. Some of the Lincoln templates I used came from Homeschoolshare, and some civil war/slavery templates also came from homeschoolshare. Most of other booklets were made by me, and we filled in extra space with pictures we found by searching google images.