Gettysburg

Understanding Goal History is the stories that are remembered.

Investigative Question: Why do we remember the Gettysburg address?

Participant performance tasks in model activity:

  • Self-assess interest in terms of entry points.
  • Interpret a primary source using an analysis tool.
  • Make connections to previous knowledge and revise thinking with regard to the Gettysburg Address.

Model Activity Directions

  1. Think of a story that you remember well. Why do you remember the story?
  2. Today’s purpose: To explore why we remember the Gettysburg Address.
  3. Read Gettysburg Address aloud.
  4. Underline a sentence that connects with your own personal experiences or that really resonates with you.
  5. Share your sentence and your connection with a partner.
  6. With a partner, list a few things that you think you know about the Gettysburg Address on the KWL chart.
  7. Choose one question from the Want to Learn list to explore.
  8. Divide into groups by folder colors (5 colors, 6 people in a group).
  9. Analyze your source using the tool provided.
  10. Regroup by numbers on the folders. Share sources and analysis.
  11. Reread the Gettysburg Address. Underline the phrase that is the most central to the main idea and memorable. Share phrases.
  12. Reread the Gettysburg Address. Underline one word that is the most important. Stand in a circle and share the word one at a time.

Wrap-up: How does thinking about entry points and using primary sources add value to the learning experience?

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