Collection
Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
Resources for teaching about the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War
- Grades: 6–8, 9–12
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order that freed slaves in the Confederate states. The proclamation ultimately paved the way for the abolishment of slavery in America. Lincoln’s action also changed the direction of the Civil War by making abolition an explicit goal of the Union, or the North.
Teach about the causes of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and the Emancipation Proclamation with these resources and ideas from Scholastic and other websites.
Included Here:
The Emancipation Proclamation Resources
A Blow to Slavery
America marks the Emancipation Proclamation's 150th anniversary. By Laura Leigh Davidson for Scholastic News Online.
The Emancipation Proclamation
Peruse a copy of the original Emancipation Proclamation from the National Archives and Records Administration.
The Emancipation Proclamation and Civil War Timeline
The Library of Congress has gathered together the papers of Abraham Lincoln, including the first printed edition of the Emancipation Proclamation and the first draft copy. A timeline of the Civil War is also included.
Emancipation Proclamation Interactive Quiz for Kids
This 15-question quiz will challenge students to show how much they know about this pivotal moment in U.S. history. From the Civil War Trust website.
The Emancipation Proclamation: Freedom's First Steps Lesson Plan
This lesson and its activities will guide high school students in answering the questions of why President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and what its impact was on the Civil War. From the the EDSITEment! website.
Are We the People? Lesson Plan
Download the Chicago History Museum's teacher and student materials for a lesson about how the Emancipation Proclamation and other historical documents impacted individual rights in America.
Books About the Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation: Would You Do What Lincoln Did?
This book examines the events leading up to President Abraham Lincoln's decision to write the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery, including the beginning of the Civil War.
The Emancipation Proclamation
This book describes the issues created by the Emancipation Proclamation and the reasons why Abraham Lincoln crafted the proclamation.
Emancipation Proclamation Book List
Teach about the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln, slavery, and more with this selection of relevant books.
Civil War Resources
Civil War 1861-1865
Eighty-five years after the United States declared its independence, the country was at war again. Learn about the American Civil War in this Grolier Online Encyclopedia article.
A Brief Overview of American History from the 1850s - 1960s
Learn about the political climates, laws, and wars that were prevalent in American history from the 1850s to the 1960s from this Grolier Online Encyclopedia article.
Compare Two Worlds: North vs. South, 1861
An interactive map the shows the differences between the two sides that fought in the Civil War.
Civil War: A Dear America Activity
Scholastic's online learning activities offer students a detailed look at how the Civil War of the 1860s impacted, and divided, America.
Civil War Primary Resources
The Civil War Trust has gathered together primary documents from the Civil War period, including addresses, speeches, personal correspondence, and maps.
Abraham Lincoln Resources
Celebrate Abraham Lincoln
Lesson plans, books, and activities for Lincoln's February 12 birthday
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
Explore the museum’s collection and get teacher resource guides full of ideas related to Lincoln, the Civil War, and Black History Month.
Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books Lesson Plan
Use Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books when studying U.S. presidents, and when talking about a love of books and reading.
Discussion Guide for Chasing Lincoln's Killer
Questions for discussing this fast-paced nonfiction thriller that gives a day-by-day account of the wild chase to find the assassin John Wilkes Booth and his accomplices. It shows readers Abraham Lincoln the man, the father, the husband, the friend — and how his death impacted the nation.
Abe Lincoln Remembers Lesson Plan
Using the picture book Abe Lincoln Remembers, students will gain insight into the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, one of the United States' greatest Presidents.
Three Abraham Lincoln Reader's Theater Scripts
Add action and relevancy to curricular themes like Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War with these three Reader's Theater scripts.
Abraham Lincoln Holding the Nation Together
Learn facts about Abraham Lincoln with this simple, short skit from Scholastic Printables. With roles for three story tellers, one Abe Lincoln, and a chorus of the rest of the class, this reader's theater script is perfect for a school assembly or performance for parents.
Will the Real Abraham Lincoln Please Stand Up?
Try this Scholastic Printables' twist on a history lesson. With 11 roles, this short "guess who" play invites the audience to determine which of the three contestants is the real "Honest Abe."
The Ballad of Abraham Lincoln
With 12 parts, and serious themes, this reader's theater script from Scholastic Printables tackles topics of slavery and the human cost of the Civil War. Culminating in the delivery of the Gettysburg Address, this short play is sure to drive home the dynamic and emotional truth of American History.
- Subjects:Civil War Period and Reconstruction, American Civil War
