Young Abe Lincoln

Academic Standards

Children compare and contrast Abe Lincoln’s life as a child to their own lives today.

Presidents’ Day, history

visual discrimination

log cabin, practice, president, raccoon-skin cap, stovepipe hat, whiskers

RI.K.1, RI.K.7, SL.K.2

Before playing our video The Life of Abraham Lincoln, ask children if they know who he was.
After watching, remind kids that we celebrate Abe Lincoln on Presidents’ Day. Ask, “Would you like to be president one day? Why or why not?”

Read the issue together. Invite kids to answer each question, comparing their own lives to Abe’s life as a child.
Then use the Show What You Know skill sheet to boost comprehension and early literacy skills.

With our digital game Lincoln’s Train Is Coming! kids test their attention to key details in the article and build comprehension.
Build understanding of nonfiction visuals with our Abe Lincoln Timeline skill sheet.

Materials: light-colored construction paper, glue, strips of brown construction paper or craft sticks, crayons or paint, penny (optional)

Give each each child a sheet of construction paper for a background, and set out any of the supplies listed above. Kids can make a log cabin in many ways:
They can glue down strips of brown paper as “logs” and use more strips to make the sides and roof.
They can do the same thing using craft sticks.
They can also simply draw or paint the logs, roof and sides!
Whatever method they choose, have kids draw a door and a window. For a fun touch, they can glue a penny in the window so Abe peeks out!