Intro (not for students)This local history project focuses on what life was like for

American soldiers during the war. This project is not meant to stand in isolation but is something that would be used in conjunction with my World War II unit. That unit includes much more information on a variety of topics, not all of which are included in this project. This project has a narrower focus to tie into a local museum. Also, I have put this together as I would use it in the classroom with simple directions to help guide student activities. I would not simply present slide after slide, but use these to guide student activities and discussions.

WWII: The First Division

The First Division is the oldest Army division. There is a museum honoring the first division in town. We will be visiting that museum later this month and need to prepare for our visit. Read more about the First Division here.

How did America become involved in the war?

• Watch this video to find out:

The video is also available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj_btks99p4

Complete the NARA video sheet while you watch. Then answer the following question:

Is this video news or propaganda?

Propaganda

Choose 1 piece of propaganda to analyze from the web sites below. You will use the NARA poster analysis sheet http://www.propagandaposters.us/http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/powers_of_persuasion/powers_of_persuasion_intro.html

How do you think soldiers or male civilians would respond to these posters?

Propaganda– part 2

Watch and analyze these two cartoons:

1) Why was propaganda used in World War II?2) How effective is propaganda?

Cartoons are found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VFs97rMw_Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpgSYbrw09g

How the War was fought:Technology

• Choose an artifact from the website below. Explain what it is to the rest of the class. How would this have helped a soldier during the war?

http://www.ww2sci-tech.org/exhibit/dark.html

Watch these videos from the site below.

Write down three facts you learn about each one.

http://www.bsu.edu/wipb/echoesofwar/index.asp

How the War was fought:Weapons

Artifacts• Choose one artifact

from the History Trunk (provided by the first division museum). Use the NARA artifact analysis sheet, then share your artifact with the class.

This sample photo is from a WWI trunk. I do not have access to a WWII trunk currently. They are available here: http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/education/teachers/history_trunks.aspx

D-Day

Also available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8qP3xcW8OA

• Watch this video for how the First Division was involved in D-Day. Complete the NARA video analysis while you watch.

D-Day (continued)

• Choose an audio recording to listen to from the list below. Analyze it with the NARA sound recording sheet.

Edward R. Murrow D-Day Approx.1845 hrs D-Day Prayer From CBS

Edward R. Murrow D-Day Approx 2210 hrs De Gaulle's D-Day Broadcast to France

Edward R. Murrow Early D-Day Afternoon FDR's D-Day Prayer 2200 hrs

Eisenhower D-Day Speech to AEF

Imagine you were a member of the 1st divison on D-Day. Write a letter home to your family describing what you just experienced. Consider the video and audio you listened to when crafting your letter.

VE Day• What was VE day?• Why is VE day important

even though the war wasn't over?

• How would a soldier in the First Divison have reacted to VE day?

• Analyze this cartoon using the NARA cartoon analysis sheet,

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jzec.htm

VE Day--continuedRead and analyze two speeches given on VE day. Winston Churchill’s speech:https

://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill/124-to-v-e-crowds

Harry Truman’s speech:http://www.trumanlibrary.org/calendar/viewpapers.php?pid=34 Complete a triple circle Venn diagram to compare the

two speeches and cartoon:http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/scottforesman/Math_2_TTM_13.pdf

• As a member of the First Division, write a letter home to your family expressing your thoughts about VE day.

Culminating activity: FIELD TRIP!!Visit the First Division museum and tank park.

http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/about/directions.aspx

At the museum: be sure to focus on the WWII exhibit for the first division

Final Project/ConclusionAfter visiting the museum, reflect on the

contributions and sacrifices of the First Division in WWII.

Create a project that both explains the importance of the first division and honors them for their actions in WWII.

YOU choose the format (poster, essay, presentation, etc.) and can work with a partner.

Resources used in this projectMost sites are sourced directly on the pages. A few images were not, so

here is where they are from:

• http://www.ww2sci-tech.org/exhibit/dark.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bifnordennomenclature.jpg• http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/museum/exhibits/tankpark/M5.aspx• http://

firstdivisionmuseum.org/eMuseum/code/emuseum.asp?collection=128&collectionname=Firearms&style=text&currentrecord=21&page=collection&profile=objects&searchdesc=Firearms&sessionid=29B36040-469B-4E8B-83CC-8F006206843F&action=collection&style=single&currentrecord=27

• http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/history/history/wwii.aspx• http://www.google.com/imgres?q=churchill+VE+day&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1292&bih=630&tbm=isch&tbnid=AkM01M

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