Curriculum Development Institute
Reconstruction and Development in Japan after WWII
After World War II, Japan faced the task of rebuilding—under the watchful eyes of the Allies. Using a dice game and creative discussion strategies, class members consider the challenges facing Japan and changes the country underwent...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – D-Day
D-Day, also known as the Normandy Invasion, was a true turning point for the Allied forces and one of the most successful campaigns of World War II. After researching the factors that contributed to the campaign's success, high schoolers...
Curated OER
The Battle of the Bulge
Students research the events and results of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. As a class, they discuss the role of the military in the entire European theater and write a paper describing the situations and conditions the...
Curated OER
Atomic Bomb Debate
Young scholars research the decision to end World War II by dropping the atomic bomb. In this world history instructional activity, students explore information on the atomic bomb and the decision of the tactics to use it. They also...
Curated OER
Battles and Events of World War II
In this battles and events of World War II study guide worksheet, students read the notes provided and add notes of their own.
Shaker Junior High School Library Media Center
WWII Project Outline
Work together as a class and get to know the ins and outs of World War II with this engaging collaborative project. Class members are broken into groups to research particular war topics, from life on the home front to the Holocaust and...
American Battle Monuments Commission
The Battle of Pointe Du Hoc
From June 6 to June 8, 1944, the United States Army Ranger Assault Group scaled cliffs that were previously thought to be insurmountable. Learn more about a pivotal moment that led to one of the most significant battles in World War II.
Smithsonian Institution
Cold War
The Cold War was not necessarily always cold in temperature, but the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union sure was frigid! Scholars read various passages, view exhibition graphics, and observe an artifact from the...
Curated OER
Mapping the War
Students work in pairs to draw their own maps as specified of World War II areas. When all projects have been completed let one group at a time share their assignments with the rest of the class. Compile all the maps into a classroom...
Curated OER
Memories of War
Young scholars consider how World War II impacted Europe. In this D-Day lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about the invasion, its conditions, and the people who fought. Suggested activities are included for...
Curated OER
What Did You Do After the War, Grandpa?
Students consider how World War II impacted Europe and European soldiers. In this Victory in Europe lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about the war, its conditions, and the celebration that ensued at the...
Curated OER
Supporting the Searchers: Seaplane Hangers at Norfolk Naval Air Station in World War II
Students examine the reasons for the Allied victory during World War II. They discover the need for air and sea power and where bases are located. They answer questions and discuss answers to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Florida During World War II
Second graders list reasons why Florida was ideal for building military bases, then explain why America entered World War II. They list reasons why Florida was ideal for building military bases.
Curated OER
WW II Names and Faces
In this social studies instructional activity, students find the terms that are related to the people and events of World War II. The answers are found at the bottom of the page.
University of California
Decolonization
The ripple effect from one small event can impact many others. Young historians research the ripple effect World War II had on decolonization in the second installment of an eight-part series. Through primary and secondary documents as...
US National Archives
WWII: Mediterranean and N. Africa 1939-45 – Where Will the Allies Invade?
An interactive asks learners to act as German intelligence agents and examine documents found on the body of an English soldier wash ashore on the cost of Spain. Using the documents, the agents are asked to predict where the Allies were...
Curated OER
Events of World War II
Ninth graders examine the main leaders and events of World War II. In small groups they analyze images of main events in WWII, listen to a lecture, and complete a fill-in-the-blank worksheet.
National WWII Museum
What It Takes to Win: Mapping Primary Source Evidence
World War II was not just waged in Europe and Asia; the home front was key to Allied victory. Using newspaper clippings from World War II and a map, scholars plot out wartime production in the United States. After that, class members...
American Battle Monuments Commission
The Normandy Campaign: The Advance Inland
Over the summer of 1944, the Allied powers of World War II came together to take back the beaches of France. See the ways each division operated to turn the tide of war with an interactive timeline and map.
Curated OER
The Legacy of the "Great War"
Students study how the map of Europe changed as a result of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I. They examine the results of the end of the Cold War.
Curated OER
Turning the Tide in the Pacific, 1941-1943
High schoolers explore the overall strategies pursued by the Japanese and the Allies in the initial months of World War II. What each side hoped to accomplish what what actually happened forms the basis of a comparison made in this...
Curated OER
Victory in Europe, 1944-1945
Students examine the overall strategy pursued by the Allies in the final moths of World War II in Europe by examining military documents and consulting an interactive map of the European theater.
Rutgers University
How the Allies Won World War II: Island-hopping in the Central Pacific
Using primary source documents, young historians explore the strategies the US used to defeat Japan during WWII. They also learn about the American military experience, and innovations that changed the style of warfare. High schoolers...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Victory and the New Order in Europe
A New Order in Europe calls for a new lesson plan! This third plan in a series of four sequential lessons encourages high schoolers to read primary sources about the development of the New Order and follow up their knowledge with a...