STUMP SPEAKING

Statue of Abraham Lincoln's First Political Speech on a stump at Decatur, Illinois

Teacher Notes and Ideas

For Grades 2-5, it would be best to think of a very young Abraham Lincoln in Kentucky or in Indiana, standing on an old tree stump and giving a grand speech, copying the preacher or another adult that happened to be passing through the wooded area, and he had heard.  The young Abe, no doubt, was one of those gifted children that liked to verbalize, use big words, and apply his personal thoughts to his "stump" speaking sessions.

The young Abraham also loved to tell stories at a very early age.  His father was known for this also, and perhaps that is one intellectual skill Abraham inherited from his father.  Abe's favorite book was Aesop's Fables.  He no doubt liked to get up on the stump and quote a tale to illustrate some problem or issue going on in his wooded neighborhood.  He probably gave his childhood speeches in front of family members, and occasionally other children at gatherings, especially Sunday Church days.

Abraham Lincoln loved to read and recite poetry.  He would do this until his last days in the White House.  He became quite a Shakespearian scholar, and could quote his favorite passages.  He wrote poetry during his early life, and when visiting Indiana shortly before becoming President, wrote a mournful poem, in two parts, about his life in the wilderness.

To organize a "Stump" speaking activity for your young primary age children, here are some tips:

1. If you have a wide piece of stump that an area woodsman could donate to you, use that for the kids to stand on.  If not, you can use a sturdy box or container.  A little balance by the speaker will be required.

2. Have the children prepare ahead of time by reading a book of Aesop's Fables.  Have each choose their favorite fable.  Make a large print copy of it. The child can then either practice "reading" the fable, or perhaps memorizing it.  MEMORIZING is something we don't do a lot in school.  This would be a great opportunity.

3. Have the children read a book of poetry.  Perhaps have the children write their own rhyming poems (Lincoln's own poems rhymed).  They could then recite them on the stump by reading or memorizing.

4. If you want to get really interesting, have the students take the part of a political candidate, and write out a short speech, why the members of the class should vote for him or her (Republican or Democrat).  Why? 

5. Have the children dress up like old Abe, or a frontier boy or girl.  Take lots of pics.

6. Have fun, and have the class learn to applaud and give great praise.