Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "Mr. Lincoln's Hat"

A Letter to Abraham Lincoln Homepage

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:26:56 GMT

In this OurStory module, children will read Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers, a children's book that tells the story of Grace Bedell and the famous letter that she sent to Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Reading Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:08:02 GMT

This useful reading guide will help engage young readers as they read Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers, a children's book based on a true story about a girl who writes a letter to Abraham Lincoln. It includes 4 active reading helpers that will help children identify new vocabulary, make predictions and think about the characters and their emotions. Part of an OurStory module entitled A Letter to Abraham Lincoln, this resource is designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Math and Measuring the Star-Spangled Banner

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:54:48 GMT

Just how big is the Star-Spangled Banner? In this classroom activity, students will visualize the area of the famous flag by measuring pieces of string and attaching them to create an outline of the Star-Spangled Banner. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

Measuring the Flag

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:04:33 GMT

Studying the Star-Spangled Banner is a great chance to combine history and math! In this classroom activity, students apply historical information to math problems to gain an understanding of the flag's size. This activity is included in the online exhibition entitled The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem.

History on Stage Pop-Up Lesson

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:18:54 GMT

This lesson plan, developed in support of the exhibition Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop, and Turn, introduces students to the variety of mechanisms included in movable books and encourages them to build their own pop-up in support of a social studies lesson. Making pop-ups subtly reinforces students’ understanding of mechanical movement and helps budding architects, designers, and engineers begin to envision objects three-dimensionally.