Vietnam Communism Lesson Plans

Learners investigate the reasons for American military involvement in Vietnam. Among topics covered are the Domino Theory and the Cold War with the USSR. In small groups, students critically examine photographs from the war and complete photo analysis worksheets.

Learners brainstorm what they know about the Vietnamese Conflict using terms which they sort into historical categories. They focus on essential questions which include the American reaction to the spread of Communism, American involvement in the Vietnamese Conflict, and how technology evolved during the conflict. They critically study a set of images to increase their understanding of the situation. Finally, they complete an essay or poem as an assessment.

Students study the Vietnam War, the reason for U.S. intervention into the conflict and the uniqueness of the fighting in Vietnam. As a class they read selected letters written by U.S. soldiers serving in Vietnam, explore the primary conflict, slang associated with the war, and the tone of the letters. Students write letters to a soldier, create a time line, and observe relevant video clips.

Students examine the impact of the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson plan, students discuss the music, the video images, and the culture of the war. Students create a classroom timeline that features major events in the war and write about how the war impacted the United States.

Students examine the aftermath of war. In this Vietnam War lesson, students consider the implications of war as they analyze the image " Siege of An Loc, South Vietnam." Students discuss the causes of the war and the outcome prior to investigating leftover shells and landmines that are still present in Vietnam.

Eighth graders research U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. They view actual footage and Hollywood clips. They form opinions about the war and complete a project from a list of suggestions regarding the war and make presentations to the rest of the class.

Students analyze the choices made by presidents about Vietnam. In this Vietnam lesson, students read presidential advisors reports given to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and determine which plans were the best.

Learners participate in a role play about Vietnam. In this Vietnam activity, students prepare for a simulation that requires them to advise the President of United States on the conflict.

Students research Muhammad Ali's act of civil disobedience. In this civil disobedience lesson, students research Ali's defiance of the Vietnam War draft and compare his reasoning to Martin Luther King's thoughts on the war. Students debate nonviolent action and write a response to Ali's violent/nonviolent nature in his life and draft resistance.

Young scholars consider why South Koreans fought in the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam War lesson, students engage in an activity through which they investigate why South Koreans fought in the Vietnam War and how their participation in the war was viewed.