Podcast, Obama, Abraham, fight for civil right

Engage Your Students with a Standards-Aligned Listening Comprehension & Critical Thinking Resource

Looking for an engaging listening comprehension activity that aligns with U.S. history standards and promotes critical thinking?

This classroom-ready podcast brings history to life through a fictional conversation between Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, exploring key themes from the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, the Civil Rights Movement, and modern racial justice issues.

Designed for middle school and high school social studies, this resource includes a 10-minute podcast and a complete student assessment package, making it perfect for:

• Listening comprehension exercises

• Primary and secondary source analysis

• Discussion-based learning

• Formative and summative assessment

What’s Included

• Engaging Podcast Audio (MP3) – A classroom-friendly historical dialogue

• Comprehension Questions (Multiple choice, short answer, and critical thinking)

• Written Transcript (PDF/Google Docs) – Perfect for note-taking and analysis

• Standards-Based Assessment – Easy-to-use evaluation tool

• Discussion Prompts – Encourages historical debate and personal reflection

• Answer Key – Saves time for teachers

Key Topics Covered

• The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) and its impact

• The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in Reconstruction

• Jim Crow laws & Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

• The Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965)

• Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement

• Barack Obama’s election (2008) and racial justice today

• Black Lives Matter & modern activism

How This Resource Supports Your Curriculum

• Aligned with Common Core Standards for Social Studies & ELA

• Supports C3 Framework (College, Career, and Civic Life)

• Meets state standards for U.S. History, Civics, and Government

• Perfect for AP U.S. History (APUSH), African American Studies, and Current Events

• Engages auditory learners with real-world connections

Why Teachers Love This Podcast-Based Lesson

• Interactive & Engaging – Students listen, analyze, and discuss history in a meaningful way

• Easy to Use – Just press play and distribute the comprehension worksheet

• Encourages Critical Thinking – Sparks discussions on democracy, justice, and progress

• Versatile – Use for bell ringers, station activities, homework, flipped classrooms, or substitute plans

• Assessment-Ready – Includes multiple-choice, short answer, and reflective writing tasks

How to Use in Your Classroom

1. Pre-Lesson Activity: Introduce key concepts (Lincoln’s leadership, civil rights timeline)

2. Listening Exercise: Students follow along with the transcript

3. Comprehension Questions: Assess factual recall and understanding

4. Class Discussion: Use the debate prompts to foster engagement

5. Final Reflection & Writing Task: Students analyze historical progress and modern challenges

Perfect for

• Middle School & High School (Grades 7-12)

• U.S. History, Civics, and Government Classes

• Black History Month Lessons

• ELA & Social Studies Crossover Activities

• Homeschool & Distance Learning

Download today and bring history to life with this dynamic podcast lesson.