Mr. Lincoln Grew A Beard
By Myra Ellingwood
Level: Grades 2-4
National History Standard: Topic 3, Standard 4B
Assess the importance of the individual in history.
Math, VT Standards & Frameworks and Grade Expectations: 7.9: Data, Statistics, and Probability Concepts, M2:25.
Organize and display data usingdiagrams, models, tally charts, or tables to answer
questions, analyze data and formulate conclusions.
Reading, VT Standards & Frameworks and Grade Expectations: R2: 7 Reading Comprehension;
Use comprehension strategies (flexibly and as needed) while reading or listening to literary and informational text. Determine importance and make connections.
Writing, VT Standards & Frameworks and Grade Expectations: W2: 2, Conventions
Use correct endpunctuation in simple sentences.
Writing, VT Standards & Frameworks& Grade Expectations:W3: 17, Expressive Writing
Establish a focus when responding to a given question or idea, show evidence of individual voice and exhibit techniques for reflecting on thoughts or feelings.
Length: 5 thirty to fifty minute class periods
Overview:
A young girl named Grade Bedell wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln when he was running for election for the presidency on October 19,1860. Grace suggested in her letter that Mr. Lincoln would be more attractive and win the presidential election if he grew a beard. She received a prompt reply and eventually met the President who thanked her for her suggestion. Through participation in this cross-curricular lesson, elementary students may experience and appreciate this young lady’s resourcefulness and reflect on her place in American history.
October 19, 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of Grace’s communication with Mr. Lincoln. To connect this lesson to current affairs, students may visit the Grade Bedell foundation website and search online for upcoming anniversary celebration opportunities. In the classroom, add books listed under resources to student reading book tubs. Revisit the topic during read aloud. Talk about Mr. Lincoln’s visit to Grace’s hometown and his introduction to Grace. An article written by Matthew Pinsker can be found at the Grace Bedell foundation website, along with a newly discovered letter from Grace to Mr. Lincoln. Could there be other correspondence that has not yet been discovered?
Objectives:
- Students will learn to examine details found in primary resources.
- Students will collect, organize, display and interpret data.
- Students will explore how a child can make a contribution.
- Students will understand the value and importance of writing as communication.
- Students will practice editing skills.
- Students will compose a constructed response.
Activity 1: Examine Primary Resources Picturing Abraham Lincoln (History)
With a partner, students examine and discuss the details of Lincoln’s face as it is pictured on various primary resources including, but not limited to, the penny, the five-dollar bill, and a close-up of Lincoln on the Lincoln Memorial. Using chart paper, the teacher leads a large group discussion and lists details suggested by the students. The fact that Lincoln wears a beard should be included on this list.
Activity 2: Compare and Contrast (History and Language Arts)
The teacher introduces and displays a photograph of a young, beardless Lincoln. Students should discuss differences between these resources by completing a two column T-chart.
Activity 3: Vote, Collect and Analyze Data (Math)
Students answer the following question individually and anonymously on a small slip of paper: Which do you like best, the images of Lincoln with the beard or the photo of Mr. Lincoln without the beard? After everyone has voted, responses are counted, organized, and displayed on a tally graph. This data is displayed alongside photos of the President with and without the beard and results are discussed and analyzed.
Activity 4: Read Aloud (Reading)
The teacher reads aloud or displays and shares an online version of the picture book: “Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers” by Karen Winnick.
Activity 5: Read and Edit Grace Bedell’s Letter to Mr. Lincoln (Reading & Writing)
The teacher displays a copy of the original letter. With a partner, students examine and buddy read a transcript of that letter that has been enlarged, typewritten and double-spaced. Partners complete a think, pair, and share, followed by a large group discussion, with each team making a contribution. It should be discovered that this letter is not easy to read due to the lack of punctuation. Partners work together to add punctuation and check their work by taking turns re-reading the letter to one another.
Activity 6: Write
Students respond to the text by composing a reflective essay and answering the following question:
Do you agree or disagree with Grace? Why or why not?
After re-reading and revision, including individual writing conferences with the teacher, students should share their responses by reading each one aloud.
Activity 7: Summary and ClosureLincoln’s Response (Reading)
The teacher reads aloud Mr. Lincoln’s response to Grace’s letter and the newspaper article describing Lincoln’s introduction to Grace in NY. This is followed by more discussion to the following essential questions.
Essential Questions:
How has Grace’s letter changed history?
Why do you think that President Lincoln really decided to grow a beard?
How did the beard change Lincoln’s appearance?
Do you think that Grace expected Mr. Lincoln to respond or answer her letter?
What would you like to say to Mr. Lincoln? Would it be easier for you to speak to Mr. Lincoln, or to write him a letter?
Grace was a child in 1860. How did the time period influence her writing?
Documents:
Grace Bedell Letter, photo of young, beardless, Mr. Lincoln, Matthew Pinsker article
Transcription of Grace Bedell letter to Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln's Remarks at Westfield, New York, February 16, 1861
Blank T-Chart
Resources:
Vermont Standards & Frameworks and Grade Equivalencies, Writing
Vermont Standards & Frameworks and Grade Equivalencies, Math
History Content Standards
Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers
Roop, P. & C. (1998). Grace’s Letter to Lincoln. New York, NY: Hyperion.
Trump, F. (1996). Lincoln’s Little Girl: A True Story. PA: Boyds Mill Press.