The New York Times
'The Century's Bitterest Journalistic Failure'? Considering Times Coverage of the Holocaust
Rich with primary sources and additional resources, this plan asks class members to think critically about newspaper coverage of the Holocaust. Focusing in particular on the analysis of the article "150th Anniversary: 1851-2001: Turning...
Curated OER
A Long Way from Home: A Hands-on Geography Lesson about World War II
Pupils build World War II directional signs. In this World War II lesson, students explore the geographic locations of the war as they analyze primary sources and conduct research regarding places of significance in the war. Pupils...
Smithsonian Institution
Women's Role in the War Effort
Did you know that many women were Confederate spies during the Civil War? The resource focuses particularly on the important role women played for both the Union and Confederacy. It uses exercises such as a discussion, video, analyzing...
PBS
WWII: Detained
Imagine being forced against your will behind barbed wire for doing nothing but being yourself. Scholars investigate the impact Japanese-American internment camps had during World War II. Through video and archival evidence, they create...
National WWII Museum
What It Takes to Win: Mapping Primary Source Evidence
World War II was not just waged in Europe and Asia; the home front was key to Allied victory. Using newspaper clippings from World War II and a map, scholars plot out wartime production in the United States. After that, class members...
Curated OER
Double V Campaign: Victory at Home and Victory Abroad
Students write a persuasive essay as if they were an African American in World War II and decide if they would contribute war bonds or not. In this World War II lesson plan, students study the segregation of World War II and the unity...
Curated OER
Navajo Code Talkers
Pupils investigate the Navajo Code Talkers and their role in World War II. They complete a Webquest, explore various websites, encode a short message, analyze maps, answer discussion questions, and read newspaper articles about secure...
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The Role of African American soldiers in World War II
Students design and create a poster, advertising for recruitment of African American volunteers for the Tuskegee Airmen. Students Create a historical newspaper front page, from 1996, which details the awarding of the Medal of Honor to...
Curated OER
Modern Figure Sculpture
Alberto Giacometti is a renowned sculpture, made popular by his "tall, gaunt" figures. His sculptures have been interpreted in many ways: representing isolation, Holocaust victims, or of one standing against adversity. Giacometti says...
Curated OER
Drums of War
Students research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. They create posters using newspaper articles and headlines to highlight the major opinions of...
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Headlines
Students analyze how newspapers report the news and compare the events that they now know about World War II as compared to what was publicized back then.
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Veterans Day Newspaper
Middle schoolers examine the reasons for and origins of the Veterans Day holiday. They define key vocabulary terms, read and discuss the article "The Origins of Veterans Day," conduct research and complete a worksheet, and create a...
Curated OER
Anne Frank Newspaper
Students individually research different aspects of the Holocaust. They create newspaper articles and editorials based on a specific aspect of the Holocaust. Students come together as a whole class and create a newspaper based on their...
Curated OER
Yellow Journalism
Seventh graders investigate yellow journalism and how it affected public opinion and the government during the Spanish American War. They define key vocabulary words, and take notes during a teacher-led lecture. In pairs they read...
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Do Suspected Enemies Have Rights?
Students investigate the history of Japanese immigration. They complete an online Webquest, explore various websites, answer discussion questions, and locate and read newspaper articles about enemy compatants.
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CIVICS/CURRENT EVENTS
Students choose to either make an exhibit of posters of pictures about Darfur, or write a letter to the local newspaper regarding Darfur, or plan a concert, party, or bake sale to raise money for refugees. They write a poem defining...
Curated OER
Anne Frank: Interviews
Students conduct an interview with a person who was alive during WWII. They explore the media coverage of human rights abuses and speculate about what American knew and when regarding the Holocaust. They prepare a commentary with their...
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Railroad Advertising: Let's Go for a Ride!
Students examine advertising from early to mid twentieth century. In this advertising techniques activity, students assess the different ways advertisers "sold" the concept of railroad travel. Students examine a variety of...
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On the Road
Students investigate the history of the automobile in the United States. They complete a Webquest, explore the PBS website, answer discussion questions, and locate and discuss newspaper articles about cars and travel.
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Freedom from Oppression
Students investigate instances of genocide and role play as reporters writing news stories and editorials.
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Lessons from the Holocaust; Hitler's Germany
Students explore Nazi Germany by completing several worksheets. In this Adolf Hitler lesson, students identify Hitler's role in the holocaust, his role in the German community and his mindset. Students read the poem "The Hangman" by...
Curated OER
An Investigation of Primary and Secondary Sources Using The Records on Mary McLeod Bethune
Students listen to a summary of the life of Mary Bethune. They read or listen to an excerpt from an interview with Mary Bethune. They discuss the differences between the transcript and the draft of the biography.