Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Draft Dilemmas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Consider the possibility of a new U.S. draft with this lesson, which encourages class debate and persuasive arguments. Middle and high schoolers discuss how such a draft might be enacted and how they would feel about it. They write...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

Military Conscription in World War I: Alabamians Express Their Opinions

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
If called, would you go? Should the US government have the power to impose a draft during any war? The Selective Service Act of 1917 (aka the Conscription Act of 1917) authorized the drafting of men into the military for only the...
Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

Northern Racism and the New York City Draft Riots of 1863

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Just how racist were some people in the North during the American Civil War? Using excerpts of the Conscription Act, as well as graphic images of lynchings, young historians consider why white people in New York City rioted and killed...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land of the Rising Guns?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the decision after World War II of Japan's to follow a policy of pacifism. After reading an article, they identify the ways Japan is strengthening its military. They watch a video to discover how their Constitution was...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Generals...Support the Draft

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars examine anti-war TV ads concerning the war in Iraq. They research information concerning the war, quotes made by generals, and the importance of a strong military. Students explore the possibility of enacting a draft and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changes in Draft Registration

For Teachers 9th
Students evaluate the differences between the first draft registration and today's Selective Service form. They explore how changes in American society and culture influence changes in the draft system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The New York Draft

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the draft that originated in New York during the time of the Civil War. They examine the primary resource of a newspaper article from the time in order to gather information. The students check the grammar of the...
Lesson Plan
Carolina K-12

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment and the Power of Youth

For Teachers 8th Standards
Empower teenagers to take political matters into their own hands! After completing an engaging warm-up activity, class members discuss both sides of the youth voting issue, learn about the connection between military history and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans in World War I - Lesson Two

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the decision to allow African Americans enlist in the military. In teams of three to four, students debate allowing Muslim Americans to enlist in the war. Students not participating in the debate serve as legislatures....
Lesson Plan
Syracuse University

Civil War

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What was it like to enlist as a soldier in the Civil War? By using enlistment papers, young scholars consider this question. After they've looked at the primary source and discussed it, they create a short story of a fictional soldier to...
Lesson Plan
National WWII Museum

Dear Mother: Synthesizing Historical Evidence

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
It's one thing to read history, it's another to live it. Pupils examine secondary and primary sources that detail the training of soldiers before deployment. Then, they consider the impact of primary sources on how they understand the...
Lesson Plan
Foreign Policy Research Institute

Ancient History: The Importance of Logistics in Greek & Roman Armies

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Before one can understand the military tactics practiced throughout history, he needs to become familiarized with tactics practiced in the ancient past. Learners take a critical look at the military logistics used by Alexander the Great...
Lesson Plan
National WWII Museum

Eisenhower on D-Day: Comparing Primary and Secondary Sources

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Dwight D. Eisenhower's message to troops for D-Day is iconic. Individuals examine Eisenhower's words and compare that to historians' understanding of the epic events of that day using primary sources, an essay, and a Venn diagram to...
Lesson Plan
Middle Tennessee State University

A House Divided: The Civil War Home Front in Tennessee

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
To broaden their understanding of both the short term and long terms effects of the Civil War, class groups examine primary source materials and then assume the role of a family member and draft a letter to a soldier describing life at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Empathy and the Vietnam War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the implications of the draft during the Vietnam War. In this Vietnam lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs that explore differents opinions of the Vietnam draft. Students particpate in a role-play activity...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Uncle Sam Wants You!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine several narratives exploring attitudes to World War II involvement at the time. They develop their own opinions and write a fictional personal narrative to record their observations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing to Argue

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students analyze speeches for or against continued military presence in Iraq. In this writing to argue lesson, students listen to speeches given before Parliament to identify rhetorical devices used.  Students compare techniques...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Personal Narrative Paragraphs: Class Quilt

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Begin this activity by asking third graders to bring from home pieces of cloth that represent something important to them. (Have extras for students who need them.) They reflect on important events in their lives, compose narrative...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolution: The Call to Battle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners explore revolutions throughout history. In this world history lesson plan, students compare revolutions and wars as they watch "Revolution: The Call to Battle" and discuss their impressions. Learners then research the Seven...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Thank You, Veteran!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use information from videos, picture books, and relatives' military backgrounds to write a short or extended message of gratitude on a greeting card for local veterans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Budgeting for Peace

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students explore world leader's quests for peace. In this world leader research lesson, students read a speech by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and view budget figures for the United States. Students work in groups to create an alternate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day in the Life of a Veteran: Oral History

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct an interview with a veteran of a recent war to provide an account of military conflicts. In this oral history instructional activity, 7th graders research a recent war and write interview questions for their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Day of Infamy" War Address. Students read the original first typed draft of the speech, and compare handwritten changes with the original to determine whether the changes strengthened or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Soldiers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the concept of having a draft for obtaining military forces. They conduct research in small groups using a variety of resources in order to answer key questions. The ideas of having a volunteer army instead is...

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