Curated OER
Adolf Hitler: Was Hitler a Passionate Lunatic?
Students investigate WWII by researching Adolf Hitler. For this dictator biographical lesson, students identify the role Adolf Hitler played in the self destruction of Germany by reading secret transcripts from German leaders. Students...
Curated OER
The Diary of Anne Frank: Research Project on Concentration Camps during World War II
Eighth graders investigate the Holocaust and the persecution of specific ethnic groups in Europe during World War II.
Curated OER
From the Four Corners 2
Students view a propaganda film made by the British government during World War II and examine the links between "British values" and British history. They view and discuss the film, and as a class identify and list "British values"...
Curated OER
WWI and Russian Revolution
Students view and discuss footage of Tsar Nicholas II reviewing troops on the Eastern Front in 1916 and examine how different groups would have reacted to this footage of the Tsar. They watch the video and in small groups answer...
Curated OER
Selling Warfare - Propaganda Posters
High schoolers examine the use and purpose of propaganda posters during World War I. They work in groups to create a propaganda poster supporting a nation's war effort.
Curated OER
Interpretation
Students research and discuss historical facts about Adolf Hitler's artistic pursuits, and the history of artists that lived in Terezin.
Curated OER
World War Ii - Japanese American Internment
Ninth graders determine that nationality is not defined by race, especially in the United States. They group into teacher created dyads with eight pictures. Four pictures are of American citizens (multiracial representations), and...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Propaganda - 9/11 and the War on Terrorism
Propaganda is an important topic that most high school social studies teachers address. Here, students compare and contrast methods of public persuasion during WWII with those used in the contemporary War on Terror. Research, discussion,...
Curated OER
Teaching With Documents: Powers of Persuasion - Poster Art of World War II
Students analyze 11 posters from wartime and complete a worksheet. They discuss the similarities and differences between the posters and where the posters might have been posted. Student volunteers from each group present the posters to...
Curated OER
The Homefront: America and WWII
Young scholars are introduced to the experiences of various groups of Americans at home during WWII, highlighting race, gender, and ethnicity. They improve their ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and images.
Curated OER
Patriotic Arts: Influencing Canadians At War
Students study how war has shaped Canadian life, patriotism, propaganda, and music. They research primary source documents, novels, videos, and songs before celebrating Remembrance Day.
Curated OER
The Home Front - "Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do Or Do Without!"
Students examine documents that explore U.S. government advertisements from the WWII era that encouraged people to grow victory gardens, recycle and conserve resources as part of the war effort. They discuss propaganda and design their...
Curated OER
Writing About Pearl Harbor
Students summarize the reasons why the U.S. entered World War 2. They view a video on the bombing of Pearl harbor, construct a timeline of WWII events, and evaluate propaganda posters to create their analysis of the start of U.S....
Curated OER
One Survivor Remembers: Anti-Semitism
Learners analyze and discuss how propaganda influenced anti-Semitism and it's role in World War II. In this propaganda instructional activity, students define the terms involved in this assignment. Then they will discuss their reactions...
Curated OER
The Diary of Anne Frank: Selected Passages
Students read the novel, "The Diary of Anne Frank". Using the internet, they gather information on the effect of the Versailles Treaty, formation of the Weimer Republic and the Nazi Party on the Holocaust. They view propaganda...
Curated OER
Anne Frank: Critical Thinking
Learners read a story by James Clavell about propaganda and they discuss how it was used in the story. In groups, they decide what they would do if faced with certain situations.
Curated OER
Then and Now: Tolerance as a Casualty of War
Students compare terrorist attacks on the US. In this lesson plan on tolerance and war, students use various resources and links to examine the concept of toleration during war. Students will focus on the attacks of Pear Harbor in 1941...
Curated OER
Understanding Propaganda Throughout History
The exploration of propaganda can provide a motivating way for students to learn about history.
Curated OER
Anne Frank: 'Everything Changed For Us'
Students discuss the rights that we take for granted, comparing them to the rights lost by the Jews under Hitler. They determine the types of discrimination that led to more acute persecution and explain the impact of majorities and...
Curated OER
What Was the Cold War?
A study of the Cold War can helps students learn about history through interviewing people who lived through this period.
Social Studies School Service
“Duck and Cover” (Civil Defense)
Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...
Digital Public Library of America
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their eyes Were Watching God has been highly praised and severely criticized for its depiction of African American folk culture. A set of primary source materials, including photographs, articles, essays, and...
Curated OER
Life on the American Homefront
Seventh graders examine the conditions of the homefront during World War II. Using propaganda, they discuss its role and how it affected people who viewed it. They identify the role citizens played during the war and create their own...
Curated OER
GI's, Gals & Gardens
Learners, in groups, design a war participation campaign for a specific audience during WWII. They design posters and prepare an oral presentation for the class.