Major themes or topics: Civil war, emancipation, freedom, perspectives, enslavement, primary sources, Emancipation Proclamation, freedom, equality, civil rights, politics, abolition

Key content: Students delve into the stories of the diverse individuals who lived in Washington DC during the Civil War era to gain insight into how these encounters influenced President Lincoln’s views on the Civil War and emancipation.

Focus questions: What kinds of people did President Lincoln encounter on his commute to the White House? Why is it important for us to understand how different people’s stories influenced President Lincoln? How did these encounters impact President Lincoln’s perspectives on the Civil War and emancipation?

DCPS alignment: Grade 5 ELA, Unit 2 - A Work in Progress: Civil War and Reconstruction