US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Battle of Britain
Had Britain not emerged as the victors of the 1940 Battle of Britain, World War II would have ended much differently—and the world as we know it would be catastrophically altered. Learn more about this pivotal moment that kept the Nazis...
PBS
African American History: Honored as Heroes
To gain an understanding of the treatment of African American soldiers during World War I, class members watch an excerpt from the History Detectives film, Our Colored Heroes, and then examine three recruitment posters from that time...
Curated OER
Ira Hayes: A Forgotten World War II Marine Hero
Young scholars research the contributions of Ira Hayes. They research Ira Hayes as a World War II Marine hero. They write a report on his contributions and explain why he has been "forgotten" in American history despite his role at Iwo...
Curated OER
Remembering World War II
Pupils read about America's participation in World War II. They study images, timelines, and other primary source documents.
Curated OER
Black And Asian Involvement in World War 2
Learners read story excerpts from the BBC WW2 People's War archive to discover the contributions and obstacles faced by Asian and Black participants in World War 2 British forces. They prepare a radio report describing the commonwealth...
Curated OER
Holocaust Heroes
Students examine the contributions of Holocaust heroes. In this Holocaust lesson, students watch "Holocaust Heroes," and discuss the stories shared in the video. Students create scrapbooks that feature the real or fictional account of...
Curated OER
Pacific War Timeline
Young scholars apply chronlogy through the sequencing of significan events from World War II in the Pacific. They draw a timeline by making a straight line and marking a place for every year from 1937-1945. During the visit to the George...
Curated OER
My Secret War: Lesson 14
Fifth graders explore the civilian role during World War II. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders write an "I Am an American" poem from the perspective of various Americans during the war.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Wilbur West, An Oral History
Third graders listen to the history of Wilbur West, a World War II veteren. They discuss how he is an important piece of history. They write a persuasive essay on the importance of Veteren's Day.
Curated OER
The Tuskegee Airmen: Heroes For a Better Tomorrow
Students examine the concept of heroes, and research the role of the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. They view a video, write journal responses, and read a short history of the group.
Curated OER
Outo Rugged Shores: The Voyage of LST534
Students view a film about warships during World War II. They discover the job of a seaman and what impact veterens have on the world today. They also examine the lasting effects of the war.
PBS
Catch-22: What It Means to Be a(n Anti)Hero
Catch-22, Joseph Heller's send-up of military organizational bureaucracy, provides readers with an opportunity to consider the importance of the anti-hero. Class members fill out a worksheet comparing and contrasting the qualities of...
Curated OER
The White Line - A One Act Play
Students discuss amendments of the Constitution that cover due process and discuss them in relation to the play "The White Line". They determine how national security measures conflict with the issues of due process during wartime. They...
Curated OER
Heroes
Students explore reading comprehension strategies. In this character development and reading comprehension lesson, students brainstorm common traits of "heroes." Students read Heroes, then identify the personal conflicts the story...
GCSE Modern World History
Mao's China
Here is a great textbook chapter on China's establishment as a communist state in 1949 and the effects of World War II on the nation. The first page prompts learners to complete a timeline activity as they read the material, which...
Curated OER
Bringing the Holocaust Unit to Closure: Implications For the Future
Students examine the relevance of the Holocaust to the present and future. They watch an excerpt from the movie, 'Schindler's List,' participate in a discussion of the movie excerpt, view and discuss a speech by Elie Wiesel, and write a...
Curated OER
Ethnic Groups in World War II
Students understands important issues, events and individuals of the 20th Century and can summarize the contributions of people of various racial and ethnic groups in the development of Texas and the United States.
Curated OER
The Foreign Policies of Harry S. Truman
Students read an article about the new interest in Harry S. Truman. In groups, they review his foreign policy decisions and how situations might have been different if he had made a different decision. They also examine the problems he...
DocsTeach
Analyzing a Letter from Jackie Robinson: "Fair Play and Justice"
Jackie Robinson was more than a baseball legend; he was an activist, too. An interesting resource explores Robinson's time in the military using primary sources. Scholars examine the racially inspired event that led to a court martial...
Curated OER
Would You Stick Your Neck Out?
Students examine personal qualities of individuals who have been able to help others through selfless actions, and develop short skits about heroes who have stuck their necks out to help others.
Curated OER
Remembering WWII Through Memorials
Learners create memorials for lesser known WWII heroes. In this WWII lesson, students recognize the efforts of lesser know individuals and groups that contributed to the wartime cause. Learners work in groups to create a memorial for one...
Curated OER
Japanese Empire and Culture in World War II
Students analyze examples of major empires, summarize effects of imperialism on selected societies, identify examples of art and architecture that demonstrate artistic ideal or visual principle from selected cultures and/or describe an...
Curated OER
Milestones in the Space Program
Students brainstorm names of astronauts from NASA space missions. They are explained that the Cold War was not actually a war but pervasive tension that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union for several decades...