Curated OER
Understanding Propaganda Throughout History
The exploration of propaganda can provide a motivating way for students to learn about history.
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
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.
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 They improve their ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and images.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
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
WW II Magazine
Eleventh graders search the database for pictures of WW II, photographs, posters, etc. They use the documents to support writing two magazine articles. The magazine articles be a minimum of 500 and maximum 1000 words.
Curated OER
Spreading the Word
Students analyze the use of propaganda in the war against terrorism, focusing specifically on the attacks in Afghanistan, exploring the distinction between ideas spread to benefit a cause and those spread to damage an opposing cause.
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
Students 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
From the Four Corners 1
Students view a film looking at government propaganda during WWII. They look at the portrayal of Commonwealth tropps in "From the Four Corners." Students are asked to evaluate the utility of the film as evidence of why Commonwealth...
Curated OER
Remembering the First
Students examine words and phrases associated with World War I as an introduction the era. They explore the legacy of World War I by reading and discussing "The War to End All Wars If Only." Students write obituries for fallen World...
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
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
What Arkansans Contributed to the WW I War Effort
Learners examine the Arkansas as home front support during World War I. They determine why the troops who were overseas during the War were important to those at home. They look at the war effort and locate the area of Arkansas were...
Curated OER
P.O.W.: Products of War
Tenth graders are introduced to concepts of war through musical lyrics. They demonstrate and understanding of the role of segregation in US military policy and practice.
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.
Curated OER
Kansas in the Movies, the Cold War Period
Young scholars are instructed using a cross curricular type of lesson. The time period that they focus upon is the founding of the Soviet Union as a superpower in the world after WWII. The rise of communism is also taken into consideration.
Curated OER
Korean War
Young scholars visualize where the Korean Peninsula is located and what are some neighboring countries. They read a handout giving background information on Korea's 20th centuy history and Truman's Statement and answer questions in their...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Analyzing Political Campaign Commercials
Imagine a activity that models for learners how to separate facts from opinions. How to detect bias. How to evaluate a source of information. How to identify propaganda. Although designed for middle schoolers, the activities in this...
Curated OER
Antisemitism
Eighth graders explore antisemitism and propaganda and stereotypes. They make connections to current-day antisemitism, racism, prejudice and bigotry.
NPR
Progressive Era Lesson Plan
The women working for equal rights in the early 20th century weren't a part of one large group; rather, they were members of dozens of small groups focused on social reform. Explore the ways groups in the Progressive Era like National...
Historica-Dominion Institute
Artifact Creation Activity
Creating an artifact that is representative of a specific time period provides an opportunity for amateur historians to understand the importance of primary sources. This resource describes the process for students to explore original or...
Curated OER
The Arms Race - From the Beginning to the End
Ninth graders focus on the political and technological developments of the Cold War. They, in groups, read and summarize the speech they are given. They should provide a short presentation based on their interpretation.
Curated OER
Anne Frank: Critical Thinking
Students examine the experience of Anne Frank during the Holocaust. Using the text, they discover how propaganda was used to impact the lives of young people in Germany. They answer discussion questions as a class and relate her...