Student Resources:

• Vocabulary Word Study Graphic Organizer
• Lincoln’s Decisions During the Civil War Graphic Organizer

Engage

• Glossary terms: terms used in this lesson for pre-teach opportunities or vocabulary support:
  • prudence
• Display the word “prudence” and ask students if they have ever heard it used. Ask any students with prior knowledge to share.
• Use it in a sentence such as “Eric showed prudence by studying for his math test instead of playing video games, knowing it would help him get a better grade.” Ask students to share what they can gather prudence means based on the sentence.
• Handout and give students time to complete the Vocabulary Word Study Graphic Organizer.
• Call on new students to share their work.
• Tell students “Today we are going to learn how President Lincoln showed prudence in his decision making during the Civil War. As president, there are many decisions that need to be made during a war. Applying reasoning, considering consequences, and thinking through options carefully but in a timely manner is very important.”

Explore

• Distribute and give students time to complete Part One of the Lincoln’s Decisions During the Civil War Graphic Organizer.
• Review student answers as a class, calling on different students to share their answers.

Assess & Reflect

• Lead students through Part Two of the handout, instructing them to read about the suspension of habeas corpus then answer several questions, and finally decide if the decision was prudent or not.