President Lincoln: Leadership Decisions in the Civil War
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President Lincoln: Leadership Decisions in the Civil War

Grade 11History1 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
This educational project is designed for 11th-grade history students and immerses them in the strategic decision-making processes of President Lincoln during the Civil War. Students explore key challenges Lincoln faced, assess his leadership influence, and evaluate strategies like the Emancipation Proclamation's impact in preserving the Union. Through activities like simulations and group presentations, students critically engage with historical texts, using both primary and secondary sources to guide their analysis and decision-making.
President LincolnCivil WarLeadershipHistorical AnalysisDecision-MakingEmancipation Proclamation
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How would you, as President Lincoln, navigate the Civil War's challenges and shape the nation's future through strategic decision-making?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What were the key challenges President Lincoln faced during the Civil War?
  • How did President Lincoln's leadership influence the course of the Civil War?
  • What strategies did Lincoln consider to preserve the Union?
  • How did Lincoln balance political pressures and military decisions?
  • What role did the Emancipation Proclamation play in the Civil War?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the key challenges faced by President Lincoln during the Civil War.
  • Students will evaluate historical strategies used by Lincoln to preserve the Union.
  • Students will analyze the impact of Lincoln's leadership on the course of the Civil War.
  • Students will interpret the role of the Emancipation Proclamation in the broader context of the Civil War.
  • Students will develop decision-making skills modeled on historical analysis and strategic foresight.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1
Primary
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.Reason: Students will need to analyze primary and secondary sources related to President Lincoln and the Civil War in order to make informed decisions within the project.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3
Secondary
Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.Reason: This standard will guide students in evaluating different strategies and events from Lincoln's presidency in the context of the Civil War and determining which is most supported by evidence.

C3 Framework for Social Studies

D2.His.9.9-12
Primary
Analyze the relationship between historical sources and the secondary interpretations made from them, applying historical knowledge and research methods.Reason: Students will analyze both primary and secondary sources to make informed decisions characteristic of Lincoln's strategic decision-making during the Civil War.
D2.Civ.5.9-12
Supporting
Evaluate citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.Reason: This standard helps students understand the civic and social leadership aspects of Lincoln’s presidency and how he addressed national problems during the Civil War.
D2.Civ.3.9-12
Secondary
Analyze the impact of constitutions, laws, treaties, and international agreements on the maintenance of national and international order.Reason: Understanding how Lincoln used constitutional measures and proclamations, like the Emancipation Proclamation, will be crucial for students engaging in this project.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Civil War Escape Room

A themed escape room challenge, designed around critical Civil War events, encourages students to solve puzzles that reflect Lincoln's real-world crises and decisions, blending historical inquiry with collaborative problem-solving.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Lincoln's Leadership Jigsaw

Students will work in groups to explore different aspects of Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War. Each group will focus on a specific challenge Lincoln encountered, research it, and then teach the rest of the class about it.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide the class into small groups, assigning each group a unique challenge faced by Lincoln during the Civil War.
2. Each group conducts research using both primary and secondary sources to understand their assigned challenge.
3. Groups create a short presentation summarizing their findings and Lincoln’s strategies related to their assigned challenge.
4. Students present their findings to the class, ensuring all major aspects of Lincoln’s leadership are covered.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive class presentation showcasing different challenges and strategies of Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1 by requiring the citation of textual evidence from primary and secondary sources. It also supports D2.His.9.9-12 as students evaluate historical sources and interpretations.
Activity 2

Historical Strategy Workshop

Students dive into the strategic decisions made during Lincoln’s presidency by analyzing specific historical events and the rationale behind them to better understand Lincoln's decision-making process.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Choose a significant event from Lincoln's presidency during the Civil War, such as the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
2. Research the historical context and Lincoln's strategic decisions associated with the chosen event using primary and secondary sources.
3. Write a reflective piece evaluating which strategies were most effective, supported by textual evidence and illustrating the reason behind Lincoln’s decisions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective essay that evaluates the effectiveness and implications of Lincoln's strategic decisions during key events of the Civil War.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis task aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3 and D2.His.9.9-12 by having students evaluate explanations for events during Lincoln's presidency and connecting them with textual evidence.
Activity 3

Emancipation Proclamation Impact Analysis

Students will critically examine the Emancipation Proclamation's wording, context, and its broader impact on the Civil War and American society, analyzing primary documents and secondary sources.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read the Emancipation Proclamation and take notes on key phrases and intentions behind them.
2. Analyze secondary sources discussing the proclamation's impact on the Civil War and American society.
3. Create a visual or written analysis highlighting the effects of the Emancipation Proclamation on political and social aspects of the Civil War.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analysis piece, either visual or written, that interprets the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation on the Civil War and society, supported by textual evidence.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity connects with D2.His.9.9-12 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.1, as it involves analyzing primary historical documents and discussing their broader interpretations.
Activity 4

Decision-Making Simulation

Students will engage in a role-playing simulation where they act as President Lincoln making crucial decisions during pivotal moments in the Civil War.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce the simulation scenario where students will role-play as President Lincoln, making decisions during a crucial Civil War event.
2. Provide students with a briefing of the historical scenario, including political pressures, military situations, and potential impact of decisions.
3. Conduct the simulation, allowing students to deliberate and choose a course of action, considering historical context and consequences.
4. Discuss as a class the decisions made during the simulation, comparing them with actual historical events and outcomes.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA simulation report summarizing the decisions made during the simulation and comparing them to historical choices by Lincoln.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity supports D2.Civ.5.9-12 and D2.Civ.3.9-12 by focusing on Lincoln’s civic leadership and decision-making, analyzing the impact of constitutional measures.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Presidential Leadership and Decision-Making Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Historical Analysis and Interpretation

Assessment of students' ability to analyze and interpret historical events and documents related to President Lincoln's leadership.
Criterion 1

Use of Primary and Secondary Sources

Evaluation of how effectively students use primary and secondary sources to support their analysis.

Exemplary
4 Points

Consistently integrates comprehensive evidence from a wide range of primary and secondary sources to support sophisticated analysis and interpretations.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively uses relevant primary and secondary sources to provide well-supported analysis and interpretations.

Developing
2 Points

Uses some primary and secondary sources with limited integration into analysis and interpretations.

Beginning
1 Points

Relies on minimal or inappropriate use of sources, with little to no support for analysis and interpretations.

Criterion 2

Understanding of Civil War Challenges

Evaluates students' grasp of the key challenges faced by Lincoln during the Civil War and his strategies to address them.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of the challenges and effectively outlines Lincoln’s strategies with substantial detail and insight.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows clear understanding of key challenges and describes Lincoln’s strategies with sufficient detail.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some challenges and strategies but lacks depth or detail in explanations.

Beginning
1 Points

Recognizes few challenges and strategies with minimal description or detail.

Criterion 3

Evaluation of Leadership Impact

Assessment of students’ ability to evaluate the impact of Lincoln's leadership decisions during the Civil War.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a nuanced evaluation of the leadership decisions and effectively connects them to broader historical outcomes.

Proficient
3 Points

Offers a solid evaluation of leadership decisions with good connections to historical outcomes.

Developing
2 Points

Provides basic evaluation of leadership decisions with some connection to outcomes.

Beginning
1 Points

Offers minimal evaluation with little connection to historical outcomes.

Category 2

Research and Evidence

Evaluation of research competencies and use of evidence in presenting historical assignments and arguments.
Criterion 1

Research Depth and Breadth

Assess the depth and breadth of research conducted in investigating historical events and Lincoln's decisions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts extensive research drawing from diverse historical sources, exhibiting in-depth understanding beyond basic descriptions.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts detailed research using multiple historical sources, showing a clear understanding beyond surface details.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts limited research with some understanding but lacks depth and comprehensiveness.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal research effort with limited understanding of events and decisions.

Criterion 2

Use of Textual Evidence

Evaluation of how effectively textual evidence supports arguments and conclusions in historical discussions and essays.

Exemplary
4 Points

Skillfully incorporates substantial textual evidence to fully support nuanced arguments and conclusions.

Proficient
3 Points

Incorporates relevant textual evidence to support arguments adequately and logically.

Developing
2 Points

Uses limited textual evidence that inadequately supports fragile arguments.

Beginning
1 Points

Relies on insufficient or unrelated textual evidence, leading to weak arguments.

Category 3

Presentation and Communication

Assessment of communication skills within group presentations and written assignments.
Criterion 1

Clarity and Cohesion in Presentation

Evaluates clarity and organization of ideas in group presentations and written work.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents information with exceptional clarity and logical organization, enabling full comprehension.

Proficient
3 Points

Communicates ideas clearly and coherently, supporting good content understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Presents ideas with some clarity, though omits logical connections, impacting comprehension.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to convey ideas clearly, hindering audience understanding.

Criterion 2

Engagement in Collaborative Work

Assessment of active participation and contribution in group activities and discussions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates leadership and fully engages in all group activities, providing insightful contributions and fostering group collaboration.

Proficient
3 Points

Actively participates and contributes effectively in group activities, supporting collaboration.

Developing
2 Points

Participates inconsistently in group activities, offering limited contributions.

Beginning
1 Points

Rarely participates or contributes to group activities and discussions.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience being in the shoes of President Lincoln during the simulation. How did your decisions compare to Lincoln's actual historical choices, and what did you learn from this comparison?

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Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how effectively did your group align with Lincoln’s strategies and decision-making approaches during the Civil War?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which aspect of President Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War do you think had the most significant impact on shaping the nation's future, and why?

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Required
Question 4

How confident do you feel about analyzing primary and secondary sources related to the Civil War after participating in this lesson?

Scale
Optional
Question 5

What role did the Emancipation Proclamation play in your understanding of the Civil War, and how did it influence the decisions you made during class activities?

Text
Required