Activity Overview
While studying historical events, it's important for students to have a good understanding of key terms they'll encounter. By creating a word map with these terms, students will be able to understand the political actions and decisions of Abraham Lincoln. This will allow students to further analyze the actions Lincoln took during his presidency as well as constitutional law and executive powers overall. The teacher may pre-select any terms terms they feel necessary to help guide and teach students about Lincoln’s presidency. This activity is great for students to complete at the beginning of the unit as a way of introducing them to the terminology. Completion after the unit is helpful for assessing how well students comprehended the lesson.
Suggested Key Terms for Lincoln's Presidency
- Martial Law
- Republican Party
- Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Executive Powers
- Presidential Cabinet
- Veto Power
Extended Activity
Have students expand on one term, further explaining it, what the term means to Lincoln’s presidency, and its significance for other presidents. Students can correlate the term between Lincoln and future (or past) presidents to better understand its use in politics and American history.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that defines and explains key terms from Abraham Lincoln's presidency.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Type each term into a title box.
- In the descriptions, summarize the term and it's importance.
- Create an illustration for each cell using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
While studying historical events, it's important for students to have a good understanding of key terms they'll encounter. By creating a word map with these terms, students will be able to understand the political actions and decisions of Abraham Lincoln. This will allow students to further analyze the actions Lincoln took during his presidency as well as constitutional law and executive powers overall. The teacher may pre-select any terms terms they feel necessary to help guide and teach students about Lincoln’s presidency. This activity is great for students to complete at the beginning of the unit as a way of introducing them to the terminology. Completion after the unit is helpful for assessing how well students comprehended the lesson.
Suggested Key Terms for Lincoln's Presidency
- Martial Law
- Republican Party
- Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Executive Powers
- Presidential Cabinet
- Veto Power
Extended Activity
Have students expand on one term, further explaining it, what the term means to Lincoln’s presidency, and its significance for other presidents. Students can correlate the term between Lincoln and future (or past) presidents to better understand its use in politics and American history.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a spider map that defines and explains key terms from Abraham Lincoln's presidency.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Type each term into a title box.
- In the descriptions, summarize the term and it's importance.
- Create an illustration for each cell using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Visual Vocabulary for The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
Organize a classroom word wall for Lincoln’s presidency vocabulary
Create a dedicated space on your bulletin board or wall to display key terms like Martial Law and Executive Powers. A visual reference helps reinforce understanding and encourages students to use academic language in discussions.
Assign students to research historical context for each vocabulary term
Have each student or group investigate one term’s origins and its role in Lincoln’s era. Connecting vocabulary to real events deepens comprehension and makes history more meaningful.
Encourage students to use terms in written reflections
Prompt students to write a short paragraph or journal entry incorporating at least three vocabulary words. Active use of new terms builds confidence and retention.
Facilitate a vocabulary quiz game to review terms
Organize a fun, competitive game like Vocabulary Jeopardy or matching definitions. Games motivate students to recall and apply concepts while fostering teamwork.
Model connections between Lincoln’s vocabulary and modern government
Show how terms such as Veto Power or Cabinet are still relevant today. This helps students see the lasting impact of historical vocabulary on current events.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visual Vocabulary for The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
What is a visual vocabulary activity for Abraham Lincoln’s presidency?
A visual vocabulary activity for Abraham Lincoln’s presidency helps students learn and understand key historical terms by creating word maps or spider maps, pairing definitions with illustrations. This strategy makes complex concepts more accessible and memorable for high school learners.
How can I teach key terms from Lincoln’s presidency effectively?
To teach key terms effectively, pre-select important vocabulary like martial law, executive powers, and veto. Use visual tools such as spider maps, encourage students to define, illustrate, and discuss each term, and relate them to Lincoln’s actions as president for deeper understanding.
What are some essential vocabulary words from Abraham Lincoln’s presidency?
Essential vocabulary for Lincoln’s presidency includes Martial Law, Republican Party, Writ of Habeas Corpus, Executive Powers, Presidential Cabinet, and Veto Power. These terms help students grasp the political and legal context of his time in office.
How do visual vocabulary boards support student learning in history?
Visual vocabulary boards support learning by combining text and imagery, which aids memory retention and comprehension. They enable students to connect unfamiliar terms to historical events, making abstract concepts more concrete and engaging.
What’s the best way to assess student understanding of Lincoln’s presidency vocabulary?
The best way to assess understanding is to have students complete a visual vocabulary board after the unit, explaining and illustrating each term. This checks both their knowledge of definitions and their ability to apply concepts to Lincoln’s presidency.
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Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
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