Table of Contents
On the Homefront
*Living in Fear
*Supporting the Troops
*Civilian Food
*WWII Fashions
*War-time Fun
*Prisons of Hate
On the Frontlines
*Code Breakers &
Talkers
*Spying for Secrets
*Ingenious Weapons
*Women in Danger
*Lifting Morale
Activities
*Anderson Shelter model
*WWII Spotter Airplane Models
*Victory Banner
*Papier-Mache Bank
*Ration Cakes
*Tabletop Victory Garden
*Victory Pin
*Silly Putty
*Animation Flip Book
*Paper Cranes
*Secret Boiled Egg Message
*Footprint Mold
*Peace Wish Wheel Mobile
*Code Grill
*Signal Light
*Ration Kit
*Soldier Care Package
*Secret Message Deck
*Recruitment Poster
*Barrage Balloon
Flotilla |
Note: the following suggested presentations can be adapted to fit into classroom curriculum. Teachers may choose to include a craft activity, based on time constraints and classroom budget.
Click Here to See Sample Chapter/Activities
Click Here for Teacher Guide
Jump to Sheri's Website for Kids
Remembering World War II
*Option A: On the home front: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)
A discussion of American home life between December 1941 (bombing of Pearl Harbor) and August 1945 (Japanese surrender). Author to highlight the contributions that kids made in recycle and war bond drives, and gardening and canning. Author to also highlight the hard sacrifices made by kids, including rationing of toys, paper, food, clothing, shoes, gasoline, and separation from family members fighting in the war. Discussion can also include patriotism, propaganda, the black market, and entertainment during the war years. Purpose of presentation is to highlight how Americans were willing to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” in order to win the war—and still had fun.
Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Window victory banner OR Silly putty
Middle school: Victory pin OR Victory banner OR Animation flip book
*Option B: Difficult Choices During War: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)
A discussion of the defining choices made by the U.S. government between December 1941 (bombing of Pearl Harbor) and August 1945 (Japanese surrender). Author to talk about America's outrage at the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the resulting strong reaction against Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. Author to discuss the forced internment of Japanese Americans, as well as the pros/cons of the use of nuclear bombs on Japan to end the war. Author to also highlight story of Anne Frank to discuss Nazi annihilation of European Jews and our government's reluctance to give Jews safe haven within our borders. Presentation to stress that war wastes human life, time, and resources, and the importance of peaceful resolution to conflict.
Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Peace wish wheel mobile
Middle school: Peace wish wheel mobile OR Demonstration of Soldier Care Package students can put together and send to military troops currently serving in combat
*Option C: American Ingenuity During World War II: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)
A fun discussion highlighting American ingenuity during the war, including milkweed plants for life jackets, Comanche code talkers, M&M candies, the Slinky, and cool spy tools such as secret messages hidden in decks of playing cards.
Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Code grill
Middle school: Code grill OR Secret message deck |
