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World War II
Almost every big city has a war memorial, and many have memorials specific to WWII. This is a preparatory instructional activity for learners going on a trip to visit a local war memorial site. They are introduced to WWII through a...
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The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Ninth graders visit the US Holocaust Museum to witness the actions of the Nazis against the Jews during World War II. A great instructional activity if you are located near the museum or are planning a trip to the DC area.
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Anti-Semitism Workshop
Originating from the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, here is a resource to support your world historians in their study of World War II, the Holocaust, your cultural scholars learning about anti-semitism, or your...
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Remembering World War II
Students read about America's participation in World War II. They study images, timelines, and other primary source documents.
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World War II New Guinea Campaign
Although the big picture for this lesson on the New Guidea Campaign of WWII is taking a field trip to the Douglas MacArthur Memorial, you can easily use it as a guide to an independent or group research project as well. However, if you...
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World War II: Concentration Camps and Refugees
Students explore the experiences of the people in the concentration camps at liberation during World War II. Students read an article on the Liberation of Belsen Concentration Camp and D-Day and report to the class.
National Park Service
Remembering Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial
Young historians use primary source materials to investigate the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the sinking of the USS Arizona. After reading background articles and studying maps and images of the attack, class members consider whether...
US Holocaust Museum
Time Capsule in a Milk Can
Imagine dumping out a milk can and finding letters from one of the darkest moments in history! Scholars use Holocaust Reading Passages and research to discover how people recorded and hid history during the events of World War II. They...
Facing History and Ourselves
How Should We Remember?
We must remember the past in order to avoid its mistakes. Young historians analyze the importance of historical remembrance using primary and secondary documents, as well as video clips. They then study the creation of a World War II...
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The Battle of Midway
Students examine the Battle of Midway during World War II through an interactive website. They analyze photographs and read the descriptions. They discuss the implications of the Battle at Midway to both sides of the war.
US Holocaust Museum
Life in Shadows: Hidden Children and the Holocaust
Hiding in the filth of a sewer, as a child, to avoid capture by Nazi soldiers—sounds scary! Scholars investigate the youngest victims of the Holocaust, the children. They research video clips and written sources from the Holocaust...
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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...
US Holocaust Museum
Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story
Imagine being a child forced from your home and into a concentration camp during World War II. Scholars prepare for a visit to the United States Holocaust Museum by researching the children of the horrible event. They analyze...
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World War II: The Home Front
Students take a field trip to the MacArthur Memorial to learn what life was like in Norfolk during World War II.
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Freedom by the Fireside: The Legacy of FDR's "Four Freedoms" Speech
Students read and analyze Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address. They listen to recordings of speeches by F.D.R., answer discussion questions, and participate in a debate.
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Introduction to the History of the Holocaust
The Holocaust is unbelievable! Examine this piece of history with your class. Using the Internet, research groups determine the relevance of information presented, compare how different sites present the same information, synthesize...
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Iwo Jima: Forgotten Valor
Students explore the nature of island combat on Iwo Jima during World War II. They examine the association between the Pacific Theater of World War II and Iwo Jima. Students evaluate Charles Lindberg's oral history, propaganda posters,...
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Carrying the Torch
Students consider how World War II impacted Holocaust survivors. In this Holocaust lesson plan, students visit selected websites to discover information about the concentration camps, their conditions, and how survivors went on with...
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Memorial Day Shoebox Parade
Learners examine the history of U.S. conflict and Memorial Day. They conduct research, develop a timeline of U.S. conflict, and create a shoebox Memorial Day parade to commemorate veterans and soldiers.
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Using Primary Sources to Study the Holocaust
Engage your middle schoolers with Pastor Martin Niemoller's famous poem that begins, "First they came for the communists." Now that you have their attention, send learners to the various work stations you created to have them explore...
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Introduction to the Holocaust (Preparation for a Trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
Eighth graders consider the Holocaust. For this Holocaust lesson, 8th graders prepare for a trip to the National Holocaust Museum by reading and analyzing testimonies of 2 former Nazis.
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Individual Responsibility And Resistance During the Holocaust
Students examine the various resistance movements during the Holocaust. They conduct research on a selected individual's role in the resistance movement, and in small groups develop and present a report.
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Auschwitz Episode Guide: Surprising Beginnings
Students examine how the Nazis came to power and living conditions at Auschwitz. They watch and discuss a PBS documentary, read and discuss handouts, analyze a Pyramid of Hate, and assign experiences in their own lives to different...
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Guidelines for Teaching the Holocaust
Eighth graders view a presentation about the importance of the Holocaust. In groups, they complete a workshop in which they discover the reasons and actions behind the event. They share their feelings about the material and stereotypes...