Compare Lincoln vs Davis Leadership Ideologies
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can the personal diaries of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis help us understand their core political ideologies and leadership during the Civil War, and in what ways did their differing views on society and governance impact their decisions?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What were the core political ideologies of Abraham Lincoln and how did they shape his leadership?
- What were the core political ideologies of Jefferson Davis and how did they shape his leadership?
- In what ways did Lincoln's and Davis' views on society and governance differ, and how did these differences impact their decisions during the Civil War?
- How do diary entries provide insight into the personal ideologies of historical figures like Lincoln and Davis?
- What can the personal diaries of Lincoln and Davis tell us about their motivations and challenges as leaders during the Civil War?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Analyze the personal diaries of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis to identify their core political ideologies.
- Compare and contrast the political ideas of Lincoln and Davis as reflected in their personal writings.
- Explore the impact of Lincoln's and Davis' ideologies on their leadership styles and decisions during the Civil War.
- Evaluate how personal diaries can provide insight into the ideologies and challenges faced by historical figures.
Social Studies Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsCivil War Escape Room
Set up an escape room experience where clues related to the leaders’ beliefs and ideas are hidden in diary excerpts and historical artifacts around the room. Students must solve puzzles using historical knowledge to 'escape' and successfully differentiate the perspectives of Lincoln and Davis.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Venn Visionaries
Students create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the political ideologies of Lincoln and Davis based on diary analysis.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Lincoln's and Davis' political ideologies.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis task emphasizes comparing and contrasting as analytical skills required by the standard 8.8d, deepening understanding of individual ideas.Diary Detective Dive
Students will explore and analyze excerpts from the personal diaries of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis to identify clues about their political and social ideologies.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of annotated diary excerpts highlighting the political and social ideas of Lincoln and Davis.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity engages students in primary source analysis, helping them meet the standard of identifying individual political and social ideas of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis (8.8d).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioComparative Ideologies: Lincoln and Davis Rubric
Analysis of Ideologies
Evaluates the student's capability to interpret and analyze the core political and social ideologies of Lincoln and Davis from primary sources.Interpretation of Diary Excerpts
Measures the student's skill in identifying political ideas from the diary entries of Lincoln and Davis.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies nuanced political ideas in diary excerpts, showing sophisticated understanding of leaders' ideologies.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively identifies key political ideas in diary excerpts, demonstrating thorough understanding.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some political ideas with partial understanding and limited explanation of excerpts.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify political ideas, providing inaccurate or incomplete interpretations.
Comparison and Contrast
Evaluates the student's ability to compare and contrast the ideologies of Lincoln and Davis in a structured manner.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides deep, insightful comparisons with clear examples, highlighting significant ideological contrasts.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers clear comparisons with examples, illustrating basic ideological differences.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to compare ideologies but lacks depth and clear examples.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to provide meaningful comparisons or contrasts, lacking evidence and clarity.
Collaborative Engagement
Assesses the student's participation in peer discussions and collaboration during the activity.Peer Feedback and Discussion
Measures the quality of student interactions for critique and idea sharing.
Exemplary
4 PointsActively engages, providing thoughtful feedback and enhancing group discussions with insightful contributions.
Proficient
3 PointsParticipates effectively, offering constructive feedback and contributing to discussions.
Developing
2 PointsParticipates inconsistently, offering limited feedback and basic contributions.
Beginning
1 PointsOffers minimal participation, providing little or no feedback during discussions.
Presentation of Findings
Evaluates how effectively the student presents their analysis and comparisons in the form of a Venn diagram and annotated excerpts.Clarity and Organization
Measures the organization and clarity of the student's final presentations.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents information in a highly organized, clear, and logical manner, with insightful annotations.
Proficient
3 PointsOrganizes and presents information clearly with well-structured, logical annotations.
Developing
2 PointsPresents information with some organization but lacks clear structure and coherence.
Beginning
1 PointsShows disorganized presentations with unclear or incomplete annotations.