1. Academic Controversy in the History
Classroom
This workshop is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by
Waynesburg University.
Historical Question: Should a U.S president always be honest?
Author: James Ferrara, Washington Middle School, Meriden, CT.
Class/Grade Level: Academic Social studies classroom/ Sixth grade
CT Standards:
Grade 6: GLE: 2.2.18 – Evaluate the credibility of a speaker (e.g.
hidden agendas, slants or biases).
Grade 6: GLE: 2.2.18 – Delineate and evaluate the argument and
specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the
evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is
introduced.
Overview:
By entering a point in history when Abraham Lincoln recalls the death and
illness of family and friends, one can truly empathize with the kind of
childhood Lincoln experienced, thus encouraging him to serve in the military
to serve his country. As a young man, Lincoln’s personable demeanor and
service in the 1832 Black Hawk War increased his profile enough to get him
elected to a seat in the state legislature in 1834, where he became an
influential voice in the state senate as a member of the Whig Party and a
moderate critic of the practice of slavery. Lincoln moved to Springfield,
Illinois in 1837, where he began to practice law. When leaving his seat in
Congress, he met and courted Mary Todd, the future Mrs. Lincoln. This
synopsis gives students a clear understanding of a Lincoln's credibility
(knowledge of law precepts, military dedication to his country, honorable
family man (husband), influential power of persuasive rhetoric).

2. Document Summary:
http://memory.loc.gov/mbrs/berl/136012.mp3
“Document 1” is an audio primary source document of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It
is an excellent source to provide students the opportunity to hear a "pitch" directly from
Lincoln himself where honest and clear rhetoric (debatable) is used to deliver necessary
information concerning the significance and rational of the civil war going on at the time.
Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg by train the day before the event, spent the night at the
Wills house on the town square instead of at a hotel, and delivered his short speech for
dedication of the Solders' National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. He delivered the
Gettysburg address text under a Honey Locust tree on Cemetery Ridge. In Lincoln’s
speech, he mentions the foundations and principles of the United States government, a
government which stands of the people, by the people, and for the people. Students
can use this audio to interpret is trustworthiness through his words and confident
sounding voice.
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-
idx?c=moa;cc=moa;rgn=full%20text;idno=ABT5677.0001.001;didno=ABT5677.0001.00
1;view=image;seq=0001
“Document 2” is a primary source text document. Its content includes the address of
the Honorable Abraham Lincoln, in vindication of the policy of the framers of the
Constitution and the principles of the Republican party, delivered at Cooper Institute,
February 27th, 1860, issued by the Young Men's Republican Union, with notes by
Charles C. Nott & Cephas Brainerd. This document is an excellent source to draw
students attention to just how legislators at the time conducted business. For example,
on page two, the document reveals how one such act regarding the freeing of slaves
passed with neither “yays” nor “nays” in Congress, stressing it was such a powerful
issue that no vote was needed to pass it on through. It allows students to examine if
this information is honorable or is it just a means of convincing the general public that a
policy of any kind is omnipotent and beyond people’s votes.
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/lincoln/pdf/freespee
ch.pdf
“Document 3” is a primary source document that displays a certificate of authentication
that was used to sell Lincoln’s plan to abolish slavery and expand territory. The words
“free men, free soil, free men” on the ad may suggest to students that Lincoln may not
be so honorable and trustworthy. He may stop at nothing to entice people to join with
him in this struggle to acquire what they didn’t already have. This document serves as
a source of propaganda in the political sense at this time of conflict and may lead
students to discuss whether Lincoln was indeed honest.

3. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-
bin/ampage?collId=mtj1&fileName=mtj1page018.db&recNum=1215
“Document 4” is a primary source document of Thomas Jefferson: The Thomas
Jefferson Papers Series 1, a General Correspondence. Even though it is difficult to
read a handwritten document, students will marvel at the opportunity to struggle with
locating words that Jefferson uses to convey honor and honesty.
http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-
idx?c=atla;cc=atla;rgn=full%20text;idno=atla0078-3;didno=atla0078-
3;view=image;seq=00295;node=atla0078-3%3A1
“Document 5” is a primary source document that should be used as scaffolding, or
building student’s confidence with persuasive articles. In this particular article, what is
being conveyed is the attractiveness of the western territories and how significant
owning territory is to the American lifestyle. By engaging students in this exposure first,
one can make students aware of political bias and they can begin to analyze author’s
purpose when reading historical, primary documents.
http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/apr08/abe.html
Details of Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration have come into clearer focus with the
recent discovery at the Library of Congress of three glass negatives that show the large
crowd gathered at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the president's address on
March 4, 1865. “Document 6” reveals two newly discovered images that depict just how
honest Lincoln was and leaves students to draw their own conclusions. These
negatives had been labeled long ago as being either the Grand Review of the Armies or
the inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant. Carol Johnson, a curator of photography at the
Library of Congress, spotted the misidentification on Friday, Jan. 4, while checking old
logbooks and finding the annotation “Lincoln?” in the margin. Only two other photos of
Lincoln's second inauguration were previously known, but a careful visual comparison
confirmed that these three negatives portray the same event.

4. Procedure (80 minutes):
I. Introduction of lesson, objectives, overview of SAC procedure
Duration: 15 minutes
A. Introduction: This lesson is designed to provide students the opportunity to
explore a question, to present and to listen to contrasting viewpoints, and to
engage in discussion before reaching a consensus, or drawing a synthesizing
conclusion. This lesson also lends itself to developing morality and using primary
source documents in order to engage in critical thinking, in particular about the
role the leader of their country plays in any circumstance.
B. Objectives:
Content Objectives ● Students will analyze, evaluate, question, and
synthesize contrasting viewpoints in order to
draw a conclusion about their historical question
and source credibility.
Language Objectives ● Students will use 6 primary source documents to
listen, read, speak, and write in order to reach a
consensus concerning the historical question
position.
Overall Class Objectives ●Students will demonstrate that understanding
alternative positions and formulating historical
syntheses will guide them into a world of complex
& controversial ideas.
C. Overview of SAC procedure
Estimated Duration: 30 minutes
1. Assign groups of four and assign arguments to each team of two(10 minutes).
In each group, teams read and examine the Document Packet
Each student completes the Preparation part of the Capture Sheet (#2), and
works with their partner to prepare their argument using supporting evidence.
Students should summarize your argument in #3. Students should have
access to a cd player, mp3 player, or I-pad, or computer with internet access
when listening to primary source document #1.
2. Position Presentation (10 minutes)
Team 1 presents their position using supporting evidence recorded and
summarized on the Preparation part of the Capture Sheet (#2 & #3) on the
Preparation matrix. Team 2 records Team 1’s argument in #4.
Team 2 restates Team 1’s position to their satisfaction.
Team 2 asks clarifying questions and records Team 1’s answers.
Team 2 presents their position using supporting evidence recorded and
summarized on the Preparation part of the Capture Sheet (#2 & #3) on the

5. Preparation matrix. Team 1 records Team 2’s argument in #4.
Team 1 restates Team 2’s position to their satisfaction.
Team 1 asks clarifying questions and records Team 2’s answers.
3. Consensus Building (10 minutes)
Team 1 and 2 put their roles aside.
Teams discuss ideas that have been presented, and figure out where they can
agree or where they have differences about the historical question
Closure:
Students will also extend their ideas in a closure by identifying key traits, characteristics,
or actions of a good leader/ president. The written product could be in the form of
designing a Powerpoint presentation (technology), a handwritten or typed list of key
traits a good president should possess, a word sort of traits to categorize, a written
response to text, open ended type question, similar the that above, or a dramatization
exposing a good quality president.
Students will demonstrate their understanding alternative positions and formulating
historical syntheses sharing their consensus building statement with the class orally. By
presenting this information, the teacher will have an indication of which objective have
been met and assess which students need extra support with any of the following areas:
Closure Informal assessment Checklist on the next page:

6. Closure Informal assessment Checklist:
___ Advanced
Student/students in group were able to identify appropriate primary
___ Goal source documents to support their position.
___ Basic
___ Advanced
Student/students in group were able to summarize their arguments
___ Goal for their position from the supporting documents.
___ Basic
___ Advanced
Student/students in group were able to present their position to
___ Goal opposing group members.
___ Basic
___ Advanced
Student/students in group were able to engage in successful
___ Goal consensus building and draw a conclusion.
___ Basic
Assessment:
Student’s will be assessed informally using the “Closure Informal assessment Checklist”
in order to gather information of which objectives had been mastered. See checklist for
criteria.
Students will identify key traits, characteristics, or actions of a good leader/ president by
composing a written product of their choice: Powerpoint presentation (technology), a
handwritten or typed list of key traits a good president should possess, a word sort of
traits to categorize, a written response to text, open ended type question, similar the
that above, or a dramatization exposing a good quality president.

7. Differentiation:
Modalities/ Identification: Suggested Modications:
Visual learners Provide text rich document (enlarged font size)
depending on the reading level.
Provide content based vocabulary with definitions for
students to refer to during reading.
Auditory learners Provide mp3 format and recording for at least one
source.
Provide a “reader” (other peer or teacher) to conduct
a read aloud of the primary source document.
Kinesthetic learners Provide a word sort of traits of presidents (verbs,
adjectives, nouns) to categorize to build schematic
knowledge for the final assessment project piece.
Provide primary source documents and highlighters
for students to access, manipulate, and highlight
relevant information towards their position.
Accelerated/Honors/Advanced Provide primary source document with content rich
learners vocabulary with a dictionary to search for definitions,
synonyms, & antonyms for students to refer to during
reading if needed.
Provide literature circle roles to members of the
advanced group (predictor, connector, facilitator, and
summarizer) to support the reciprocal teaching
model.
Special Education learners Provide a word sort of traits of presidents (verbs,
adjectives, nouns) to categorize to build schematic
knowledge for the final assessment project piece.
Provide primary source documents and highlighters
for students to access, manipulate, and highlight
relevant information towards their position.
Provide a “reader” (other peer or teacher) to conduct
a read aloud of the primary source document.
Provide primary source document with content rich
vocabulary with a dictionary to search for definitions,
synonyms, & antonyms for students to refer to during
reading if needed.
English Language Learners See Inclusion (Special Education) modifications.
*Provide pronunciations & definitions w/ vocabulary.

8. DOCUMENT PACKET
Document 1
Students will listen to a recording of Lincoln’s words to judge the use
of his words.
Vocabulary
engaged=busy, occupied, or involved.
Consecrated= to dedicate, make, or declare sacred.
perish= to suffer, destroy, or wither away; die.
Source: http://memory.loc.gov/mbrs/berl/136012.mp3

9. Actual speech (derived from) See next page for text for students to access:
http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.html
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a
new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men
are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any
nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great
battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final
resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is
altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot
hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have
consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little
note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did
here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to
be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these
honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the
last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of
freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people,
shall not perish from the earth.

10. Document 2
Students will read and extract excerpts from this speech that pertain
to Lincoln and his integrity.
Vocabulary
Vindicated = to justify an argument, to clear from
accusation, or defend an argument/ stance.
Source:
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-
idx?c=moa;cc=moa;rgn=full%20text;idno=ABT5677.0001.001;didno=ABT5677.0
001.001;view=image;seq=0001

11. Document 3
This primary source document is a “pdf” file and can be printed out for classroom use; it
cannot be downloaded, copied, or pasted. This image was selected to provide students
a certificate of authentication that was used to sell Lincoln’s plan to abolish slavery and
expand territory. The words “free men, free soil, free men” on the ad may suggest to
students that Lincoln may not be so honorable and trustworthy. He may stop at nothing
to entice people to join with him in this struggle to acquire what they didn’t already have.
This document serves as a source of propaganda in the political sense at this time of
conflict and may lead students to discuss the how Lincoln may or may not be truthful.
Vocabulary
Certify= to guarantee, to award, or to vouch.
“wide awake” = a phrase that signals one’s alertness.
Source:
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/lincoln/pdf/fre
espeech.pdf

12. Document 4
“Document 4” is a primary source document of Thomas Jefferson: The Thomas
Jefferson Papers Series 1, a General Correspondence. Even though it is difficult to
read a handwritten document, students will marvel at the opportunity to struggle with
locating words that Jefferson uses to convey honor and honesty.
Source:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-
bin/ampage?collId=mtj1&fileName=mtj1page018.db&recNum=1215

13. Document 5
“Document 5” is a primary source document that should be used as scaffolding, or
building student’s confidence with persuasive articles. In this particular article, what is
being conveyed is the attractiveness of the western territories and how significant
owning territory is to the American lifestyle. By engaging students in this exposure first,
one can make students aware of political bias and they can begin to analyze author’s
purpose when reading historical, primary documents.
Source:
http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-
idx?c=atla;cc=atla;rgn=full%20text;idno=atla0078-3;didno=atla0078-
3;view=image;seq=00295;node=atla0078-3%3A1

14. Document 6
Details of Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration have come into clearer focus with the
recent discovery at the Library of Congress of three glass negatives that show the large
crowd gathered at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the president's address on
March 4, 1865. “Document 6” reveals two newly discovered images that depict just how
honest Lincoln was and leaves students to draw their own conclusions. These
negatives had been labeled long ago as being either the Grand Review of the Armies or
the inauguration of Ulysses S. Grant. Carol Johnson, a curator of photography at the
Library of Congress, spotted the misidentification on Friday, Jan. 4, while checking old
logbooks and finding the annotation “Lincoln?” in the margin. Only two other photos of
Lincoln's second inauguration were previously known, but a careful visual comparison
confirmed that these three negatives portray the same event.
Source:
http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/apr08/abe.html
Some of the language and phrasing in these documents have been modified from the originals.

15. Don’t forget the rules of a
CAPTURE SHEET successful academic
controversy!
□Practice active listening.
□Challenge ideas, not each
Student Name:_________________ other.
Members in group:
□Accept your assignment.
□Share responsibility and
give equal speaking time.
Historical Question: Should a U.S president
always be honest?
Preparation:
Highlight your assigned position.
Yes As a true leader of productive citizens of any country, the
president of the United States in particular, should always be
honest because they are seen as a representative voice of
the people and a role model for others.
No In spite of the president being a role model and a voice of the
people, the president reserves the right to withhold
information or manipulate the facts for 1)national security
and/ or 2) indict him/herself from accusations as protected by
our fifth amendment.

16. Read through each document searching for support for your side’s argument.
Use the documents to fill in the chart
(Hint: Not all documents support your side, find those that do):
Document # What is the main idea of What details support your
this document? position?
1
2
3
4
5
6

17. Work with your partner to summarize your arguments for your position using the
supporting documents you found above:
Position Presentation:
You and your partner will present your position to your opposing group members.
When you are done, you will then listen to your opponents’ position.
While you are listening to your opponents’ presentation, write down the some
main ideas in details that they present here:
Opposing side: “You listen and record.”
Main Idea #1
Main Idea #2
Main Idea #3
Main Idea #4
Main Idea #5
Main Idea #6
Page Presentation Page 1 of 2

18. Clarifying questions I have for the opposing partners: “You ask and record.”
Clarifying question #1 –
How did they answer?
Clarifying question #2 –
How did they answer?
Clarifying question # 3 –
How did they answer?
Page Presentation Page 2 of 2

19. Consensus Building:
Put your assigned roles aside. Where does your group stand on the question?
Where does your group agree? Where does your group disagree? Your
consensus answer does not have to be strictly yes, or no.
We agree that::
We disagree that:
Our final consensus:
Consensus Building: Page 1 of 1