Common Core Curriculum Mapping Project
Grade 9 Mini-Map (Unit 6)
Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” Second Inaugural Address, and Letter to Albert G. Hodges
Goals
In this series of four lessons, students read Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” second inaugural address, letter to Albert G.
Hodges, and an excerpt from Glenn LaFantasie’s essay, “Lincoln and the Gettysburg Awakening.” Then, they:
-examine the historical context of the “Gettysburg Address”;
-explore the historical impact of the “Gettysburg Address”; (SL.1c, SL.1d)
-investigate a thematic continuity from the “Gettysburg Address” to Lincoln’s second inaugural address; and (RI.1, RI.2,
RI.3, RI.6)
-evaluate the ability of words to impact history. (RI.2, RI.3, RI.5, RI.6)
A Sample Lesson
(Lesson II of IV)
A. Topic: The Gettysburg Address
B. Objectives:
• Explore the content of the “Gettysburg Address.”
• Explicate the address. (RI.1)
• Analyze the rhetorical moves of the address. (RI.2, RI.3, RI.5, RI.6)
• Consider why Gettysburg is regarded as “America’s most hallowed ground.” (SL.1c, SL.1d)
• Evaluate the essay “Lincoln and the Gettysburg Awakening” by Glenn LaFantasie. (W.2a, W.2b, W.2d, W.2e)
C. Required Materials:
A class set of the “Gettysburg Address”
A class set of Glenn LaFantasie’s “Lincoln and the Gettysburg Awakening” (excerpt, see below)
D. Procedures:
1. Lead In:
Quietly, students read the “Gettysburg Address,” twice.
A student volunteer reads the text aloud.
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2. Step by Step:
a. Students discuss the content of the address. They paraphrase Lincoln’s words.
b. Once the students have a grasp of the address’ content, they turn to an evaluation of its structure; an explication of the address
highlights Lincoln’s rhetorical moves. Teachers emphasize the following:
-Paragraph I: The promise of America
-Paragraph II: The purpose of the war and the reason why “we” are in the “final resting place” of the soldiers
-Paragraph III:
-Why “we” cannot consecrate this ground;
-why it is that the soldiers who died do; and
-the promise that their death “shall not be in vain.”
Then, return to the first paragraph, which says that America “under God, shall have a new birth of Freedom.”
c. Students discuss the claim that Gettysburg is regarded as “America’s most hallowed ground” as they evaluate Lincoln’s words in
their historical context.
d. Students read the excerpt from the LaFantasie essay and explicate the content of the passage.
3. Closure: A student volunteer reads the address aloud. Let the impact of the words provide the closure for the lesson.
4. Homework/Assessment:
I. Writing Task
In “Lincoln and the Gettysburg Awakening,” Glenn LaFantasie (see below) argues that Lincoln, in his “Gettysburg Address,”
“achieved a revolution…by putting the central element of the Declaration of Independence—equality—in a new light as a
fundamental principle of the Constitution[,] which does not mention equality at all.”
Students’ task is to write a well-developed paragraph analyzing a specific aspect of Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” in the context of
LaFantasie’s argument.
II. Writing Directions:
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Your paragraph must:
• contain an analysis—not a summary—of the idea that you choose to discuss;
• be carefully and deliberately developed;
• demonstrate a mastery of organizational skills (topic sentences, transitions, order of ideas, etc.);
• cite both the “Gettysburg Address” and LaFantasie’s essay;
• integrate the citations;
• use Standard English grammar; and
quote from Glenn LaFantasie’s essay.
Lesson I
Topic: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War
Lesson II
Topic: The Gettysburg Address
Objectives:
Objectives:
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Explore the content of the “Gettysburg Address.”
Explicate the address. (RI.1)
Analyze the rhetorical moves of the address. (RI.2, RI.3,
RI.5, RI.6)
• Consider why Gettysburg is regarded as “America’s most
hallowed ground.” (SL.1c, SL.1d)
• Evaluate an excerpt from LaFantasie’s essay, “Lincoln
and the Gettysburg Awakening.” (W.2a, W.2b, W.2d,
W.2e)
Lesson III
Lesson IV
Topic: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and a Letter to Albert Topic: The Power of Words
G. Hodges
Objectives:
Objectives:
• (Independently or in groups) research and identify a
• Trace the continuity of themes from the “Gettysburg
memorable address. (SL.1a, SL.2)
Address” to Lincoln’s second inaugural speech. (RI.1,
• Provide historical context to this address. (SL.1a, SL.2)
RI.2, RI.3, RI.6)
• Examine the content of this address. (SL.1a, SL.2)
• (Continue to) trace pivotal themes through Lincoln’s letter
• Explore the historical impact of this address.
to Hodges. (RL.1, RL.2, RL.3, RI.6)
• Evaluate the fulfillment of its promise for future
• Examine the rhetorical and literary skills in the speech and
“awakening” (similar to that of the “Gettysburg
in the letter. (RI.6)
Address”).
• Evaluate the continuing historical relevance of Lincoln’s
words: “With malice toward none; with charity for all;
with firmness in the right…and with all nations.” (SL.1c,
SL.1d)
•
•
•
•
Investigate Lincoln’s place in American history.
Explore the background to the Civil War.
Chronicle key events in the Civil War.
Identify the details of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Common Core Curriculum Mapping Project: Mini Map for Grade Nine
© 2010 Common Core, Inc. All rights reserved.
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