Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Compare and Contrast Night to Life is Beautiful

For Teachers 8th - 10th
After reading Elie Wiesel's Night, watching the movie Life is Beautiful, and researching World War II, class members write a comparison essay on the book and film. This includes a prior knowledge activity, discussion in whole and small...
Lesson Plan
Foreign Policy Research Institute

Examining an Important Battle in WWII

For Teachers 10th - 12th
In this military history assignment, research provides a foundation for a report on the United States' strategy for a specific battle during World War II. This resource does not include recommended sources of information or a rubric....
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: The Price of Freedom: Americans at War

For Students 9th - 10th
View comprehensive sets of artifacts that tell the story of America's wartime past and present. Artifacts from every major American military conflict, beginning with the American Revolution, can be closely examined. Full curatorial notes...
Graphic
Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

Guggenheim Museum: Picasso and the War Years, 1936 45

For Students 9th - 10th
Scrolling timeline of the work Picasso produced during World War II shows off a wide range of Picasso's work interspersed with historical photographs of the war and notes about key events occurring at the time. A compelling way to view...
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Operation Overlord

For Students 9th - 10th
To understand the invasion of Normandy, students must have at least a basic understanding of the factors, countries, and risks involved, as well as an understanding of the events leading up to it. This narrative is nicely condensed...
Website
Virtual Museum of Canada

Virtual Museum of Canada: Remembrances: Canada and the Second World War

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the various aspects of Canadian involvement in World War II including the war at sea, war on land, war in the air, and the war on the homefront.
Website
Virtual Museum of Canada

Virtual Museum of Canada: Community Stories: Prince Edward Island Memories of Wwii

For Students 9th - 10th
Share in the stories of seven men and women from Prince Edward as they relate their experiences during World War ll. Listen to Bob Johnson as he tells of his harrowing experience in Burma, after being shot down, and spending 22 days in...
Website
Other

Stemming the Tide: Battle of the Coral Sea

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a detailed discussion of the Battle of the Coral Sea and the events leading up to it. Includes some pictures.
Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer

For Students 9th - 10th
J. Robert Oppenheimer is credited with the creation of the atomic bomb. But, "The country asked him to do something and he did it brilliantly, and they repaid him for the tremendous job he did by breaking him." This documentary traces...
Website
Other

Kentucky Historical Society: Kentucky Military Treasures

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of personal stories, illustrated with artifacts, documents, and photographs, that exemplifies the military experiences of Kentuckians in America's wars, beginning with the War of 1812. Requires Adobe Flash.
Website
PBS

Pbs: The Perilous Fight: America's World War Ii in Color

For Students 9th - 10th
Online home of the PBS documentary "The Perilous Fight" provides access to an eclectic array of color photographs and films of World War II at home and abroad. Overviews, contextual clues, maps, letters, and similar resources can be...
Website
Veterans Affairs Canada

Heroes Remember Canadian Chinese Veterans

For Students 9th - 10th
Read and listen to firsthand accounts of Chinese men and women who served in the Second World War. At that time, the Chinese were not even allowed to vote and their courageous efforts in the war went unacknowledged. This article tries to...
Website
Veterans Affairs Canada

Heroes Remember: Canadian Chinese Veterans

For Students 9th - 10th
Read and listen to firsthand accounts of Chinese men and women who served in the Second World War. At that time, the Chinese were not even allowed to vote and their courageous efforts in the war went unacknowledged. This web site tries...
Website
Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada: A Day of Remembrance

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource explains the reasons for a day dedicated to recalling the sacrifices of Canada's soldiers. Direct web links take students to pages that explain in concise language "Why Remember", "Whom Do We Remember", "What Should We...
Primary
Other

National Security Agency: A Priceless Advantage [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A report written by the NSA on the U.S. Navy Communications Intelligence and the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway, and the Aleutians in the spring of 1942. Very credible and very complete. (Third edition)
Website
Other

Juno Beach Centre: The Italian Campaign

For Students 9th - 10th
This page recounts the Canadian role in the Italian Campaign. Quotes, French translation, and pictures are available here.
Website
BBC

Bbc History: World Wars: World War Two

For Students 9th - 10th
Website encompasses every aspect of World War II with particular emphasis on British roles and viewpoints. Resources include a range of audio, visual, and interactive media. Content coverage highlights include the war at sea, the air...
Lesson Plan
Other

Ithaca College: Project Look Sharp: Soviet History Through Posters

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Multi-unit curriculum kit on the history of the Soviet Union told in five episodes using Soviet posters as source material. Coverage includes the birth of the Soviet Union, Stalin, the Great Patriotic...
Website
Veterans Affairs Canada

Historically Speaking: The Human Cost of War

For Students 9th - 10th
This learning module gives students the opportunity to view and listen to hundreds of interviews with people who experienced first hand the Korean and First and Second world wars. This is an excellent teaching resource that helps...
Website
Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada: Heroes Remember Interview

For Students 9th - 10th
Search this data base and view interviews with veterans who recount their experiences in the First, Second, South African and Korean Wars. The data base may be searched by war, geographic location, campaign, branch, unit or occupation....
Primary
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: World War Ii: The War Against Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
This online version of a book on the US war against Japan is very extensive and filled with useful information.
Primary
BBC

Bbc: "I Invaded My Own Country on D Day"

For Students 9th - 10th
A French soldier describes what he saw during the D-Day invasion.
Website
ibiblio

Ibiblio: Hyperwar: Burma Campaign, 1942

For Students 9th - 10th
Official Defense department history of the Burma campaign in 1942 which resulted in the loss of Burma to the Japanese. The role of General Stillwell is explored.
Website
ibiblio

Ibiblio: Hyper War: u.s. Army Camaigns of World War Ii: India Burma Campaign

For Students 9th - 10th
An official defense department history of the various battles fought in the India and Burma region. The roles of General Stillwell and General Merrill is discussed.