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Art and Patriotic Culture
Art forms, especially government-sponsored "poster art", very effectively conveyed specific cultural values during World War II. Understanding the role that visual images play in expressing issues and ideas is critical to developing...
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Action/Reaction: Art and Politics
Students examine three images that were responses to social and political turmoil World War I and II. In this political art lesson, students analyze and discuss the example art. Students create a word poem, a collage, and their own...
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WWI Document Based Essay
Young scholars read various primary source documents on World War I. After reading each document, they answer discussion questions. Using the internet, they identify the causes of World War I as layed out by President Wilson and his...
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Europe Before and after WWI
Eighth graders compare and contrast maps of Europe before and after World War I. In this World War I activity, 8th graders color and label maps of Europe prior to the war and after it. The historical maps can be accessed online.
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Voices of Tragedy and Horror: Remembering the Holocaust
Students consider the implications of the Holocaust. In this World War II lesson, students read the graphic novel Maus at the end of a unit on World War II. Students discuss the impact of reading about the Holocaust as well as theme of...
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Map Skills
Students examine the nations, battlefields, troop movement of the Germans through Belgium and the location of both fronts during World War I by creating a map. They visualize the strength of the Germans early in the war.
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Patriotism Reflected in Art and Literature (part A)
Students explore pre-World War II Japanese art. In this patriotism lesson, students analyze Eternal Fuji and Red Sun by Yokoyama Taikan. Students discuss the techniques used to create the painting as well as the symbolism behind it....
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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....
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The Decision to Americanize the War in Vietnam
Young scholars research the major events of the Vietnam War and construct a timeline. They do the same with the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson or the 1960's. They act as an advisor to President Johnson to recommend a course of action...
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Is There Any Such Thing As A Just War?
Students examine the Just War theory, examine a specific example of what is commonly considered to have been a Just War, develop their own moral viewpoints on war, and relate their beliefs to current international situations.
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Across Five Aprils-Civil War Virtual Field Trips
Eighth graders explore the Civil War by reading Irene Hunt's novel, Across Five Aprils. They take virtual field trips to these battle sites and answer questions that guides them in their study of the Civil War.
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What's Civil About War?
Students study about the Civil War through primary sources used in the PBS production of "Freedom: A History of US" based on Joy Hakim's books, "A History of US", and the companion PBS Web site.
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Folk Art: Bird of Paradise Quilt Top
Students examine a "Bird of Paradise Quilt Top" to discover what the themes and patterns tell about mid-nineteenth-century America. In this American Folk Art lesson, students discuss the possible creator of the quilt and the...
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Anne Frank: One of Hundreds of Thousands
Young scholars conduct research to put Anne Frank's diary into historical context. They use maps, timelines, essays and websites to examine the early victories of the German army, paying special attention to the Netherlands and...
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World War II: Japanese-American Internment
Fifth graders read "The Bracelet" by Yoshiko Uchida and use it as a catalyst to discuss the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. They debate the morality of the internment, create Venn diagrams and chart important events...
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The World Of Anne Frank
Students study Anne Frank's life in hiding. In this Holocaust lesson, students read The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and then research the Internet as well as print sources to discover facts about her Holocaust experience.
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"my Dear Little Boys..." Using Wwii Primary Documents: a Letter Home From the War
Students read letters written by soldiers during World War II in order to analyze the soldier's feelings about the war. They explain how these primary sources teach appreciation for the World War II soldier's experiences.
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A New coat for Anna
Second graders participate in a bartering activity. They discuss the problems of bartering. Students read the book "A New Coat for Anna," by Harriet Ziefert. Students discuss the bartering Anna's mother did. They record the trades made...
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Secret Message
Students understand the important use of codes during World War II. In this World War II lesson, students recognize the accomplishments of Hannah Senesh in carrying valuable information during the war. Students complete a worksheet and...
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Dorothea Lange and the Relocation of Japanese Americans
Students consider the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this Japanese relocation lesson plan, students examine photographs by Dorothea Lange, the "Pledge of Allegiance," and a US government flyer from 1942. They...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Examining an Important Battle in WWII
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....
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Holocaust: Where was the USA?
Eighth graders debate United States' involvement in the Holocaust and WWII. They research the United States' role in the Holocaust, views the US held at the time, and how they would have handled the Holocaust if they were in charge...
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Night: Socratic Questioning Activity
We construct meaning through discussion, so help your readers of Elie Wiesel's work Night with a socratic questioning activity. The strategy is outlined on the first page, and the second page offers some example questions you give to...
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Mexican Cessation
Eighth graders create a propaganda poster. In this US history instructional activity students research the various sides during the Mexican-American War. They present their poster and their position for or against the war.