Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson – Complete Novel Study Activity Bundle
$8.00
Give your students the background knowledge, comprehension support, and critical-thinking tools they need to fully understand James L. Swanson’s powerful nonfiction text with this all-in-one Chasing Lincoln’s Killer teaching bundle.
This comprehensive resource pack is designed to support both ELA and U.S. History classrooms, combining reading strategies, vocabulary development, assessments, and research writing into one ready-to-use collection.
From Civil War context to final assessments, everything you need to teach this book with confidence is included.
Perfect for Grades 6–8 U.S. History & ELA
Designed for middle school and early high school classrooms, these materials help students:
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Strengthen reading comprehension
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Analyze cause and effect in historical texts
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Build academic vocabulary
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Practice context clue strategies
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Demonstrate understanding through quizzes and assessments
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Conduct research and informational writing
No planning headaches. No last-minute scrambling. Just print (or assign digitally) and teach.
What’s Included in This Bundle
American Civil War Background Article & Questions
Set your students up for success with a clear, student-friendly informational text that introduces the historical context behind the novel.
This resource includes:
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A concise, accessible overview of the causes and events of the Civil War
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Key figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant
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Explanation of major events like Fort Sumter, Gettysburg, and Appomattox
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Standards-based comprehension questions
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Vocabulary-focused questions
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Text-evidence prompts
This article is ideal as a pre-reading activity so students understand the political and social tensions that led to Lincoln’s assassination.
Cause & Effect Analysis Activity
Students examine how historical events connect and influence one another as they read.
This resource includes:
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A mini-lesson on cause-and-effect relationships in history
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Text-based analysis questions
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Critical thinking prompts tied directly to the novel
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Writing and discussion opportunities
Great for helping students understand that history is a chain of interconnected events—not just isolated moments.
Glossary, Vocabulary, and Context Clues Packet
Support student understanding of historical references and challenging language with:
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A full glossary of key people, places, and Civil War terms
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A targeted vocabulary list with definitions
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Context clues practice passages
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Dictionary skills activities
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Answer keys for easy grading
This resource is ideal for scaffolding struggling readers and building academic language skills.
Reading Quiz & Final Test
Assess student understanding with confidence using:
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A chapter-based reading quiz
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A comprehensive final comprehension and analysis test
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Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
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Text-evidence prompts
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Answer keys
These assessments save you time while giving you clear insight into student mastery.
Research Paper Project
Extend learning beyond the novel with a structured informational writing project that guides students step-by-step through:
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Conducting research on Abraham Lincoln
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Gathering and organizing information
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Paraphrasing and summarizing sources
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Developing a “big idea” thesis
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Planning and drafting a formal essay
This project connects reading, history, and writing in one meaningful cross-curricular assignment.
Why Teachers Love This Bundle
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Fully aligned to informational text standards
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Engaging nonfiction analysis activities
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Perfect companion to social studies units on the Civil War
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Differentiated support for vocabulary and comprehension
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Ready-to-print PDFs with answer keys
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Works for in-class, homework, or sub plans
Whether you’re teaching this book in ELA, U.S. History, or a cross-curricular unit, this bundle makes the novel approachable, engaging, and academically rigorous.
Ideal For:
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Novel studies
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Civil War units
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Nonfiction text analysis
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Reading intervention support
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Substitute teacher plans
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Assessment and test prep
Formats Included
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Printable PDFs & Digital Format
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Clear, student-friendly layouts
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Complete answer keys
Give your students the tools they need to truly understand the drama, history, and impact of Lincoln’s assassination—while saving yourself hours of planning time.
Add this Chasing Lincoln’s Killer Activity Bundle to your curriculum today and teach with confidence!
