World War II

World War II (Crash Course World History)

Japanese Americans & The Constitution: Digital Exhibition by the Smithsonian Institute (M, O, T)
This digital exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute chronicles the stories and experiences of Japanese Americans following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Included are first-person accounts, historical photos, newspaper clippings, artifacts, and other primary sources for study.

Pearl Harbor & Executive Order 9066: A Lesson on Japanese American Internment During WWII (O, T)
In these lesson plans from PBS Learning Media, students will learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor and Executive Order 9066, signed just two months later, which authorized the relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps. The lesson plan includes videos, historical photographs, and other primary sources for analysis.

National WWII Museum: Worldwide Casualties (M, O, T)
The National WWII Museum of New Orleans offers a wealth of information for learning about World War II. In addition to the casualty statistics listed on this page, you can find articles profiling veterans and service members, lessons and educator resources, and resources for additional research.

Live Interviews and Q&A with Veteran Pilots (O)
OGTA (Old Guys and Their Airplanes) Debriefs are interviews with decorated combat veterans conducted live and allowing the audience a chance for Q&A with the veteran. Aviation artist, writer and filmmaker John Mollison conducts the interviews, which are recorded and posted on the linked page of The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. A total of 8 interviews are planned.

The Mettle Behind the Merit Educator's Kit (T)
Steve Pisanos was an ace WWII pilot and the subject of a documentary sponsored by The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Educators can download a 4 part kit that includes a ten page .pdf using the The Mettle Behind the Merit documentary as a launching point to challenge students to deﬁne their own dream of success and realize it through intelligent work and positive behavior, a supplementary photo .pdf, a .pdf of all ﬁve of Steve Pisanos’ DFC certiﬁcates represented as they were written and awarded by the United States Army Air Force and United States Air Force, and a download of worksheet pages with discussion questions. For a small fee to cover shipping, groups can order a cut-out card of the Spitfire that Pisanos flew (20 or 40 qty.).

Japan's surrender made public (Y,M,O,T,)
From this day in history, a division of History.com

Japan Surrenders (Y,M,O,T)
From the Manhattan Project, an interactive history website through the Department of Energy.

WWII Ration Book Printables (Y)
From the Department of History at the University of Delaware

Mission Possible: Decoding WWII Navajo Marine Code (M)
Students discover how the Navajo language and people played a significant role in the U.S. strategy to win World War II. Grade 8

Island Hopping: The Story of Ned Begay Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two (Y)
Students study the Navajo contribution to the United States during World War II while following the story of the Ned Begay as he starts out at a boarding school and later becomes a U.S. Marine who learns the Navajo Code. Students will learn how Ned's background and culture helped him survive and become successful in his education and his experience as a Marine. Grade 4.

The Unbreakable Code: Navajo Code Talkers (Y)
Students discover the role Navajos in World War II. Students study historical aspects of reservation life, read maps to gain understanding, and apply geography to an historical event. Grade 4.

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area (Y,M,O,T)
The Aleutian World War II National Historic Area and Visitor Center in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, preserves the historic Fort Schwatka on Mount Ballyhoo. US Servicemen fought the Japanese here. At the same time, the local Unangan people were sent away from the area to internment camps a thousand miles away.

Timeline of Events 1941-1945 (Y,M,O,T)
From The History Place™ - World War Two in the Pacific.

The Einstein-Szilard Letter 1939 (O)
Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt on August 2, 1939. The letter culminated in the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The United States in World War II: "The Proper Application of Overwhelming Force" (O)
This is a four lesson unit in which each lesson plan is designed to stand alone. Students are given a comprehensive approach to U.S. involvement in World War II.

Tuskegee Airman (Y,M,O,T)
Black fighter pilots who fought during World War II against the Germans. Racism in the Inited States required these men to serve together in an all black unit.

Minidoka National Monument (Y,M,O,T)
A National Historic Site that commemorates the WWII Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho. The website offers historical information about the relocation center for those who cannot visit in person.

Manzanar National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.

Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park (Y,M,O,T)
Preserves and interprets the stories and places of our nation's home front response to World War II.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine (Y,M,O,T)
Largest Homeland Disaster during World War II. Reservations are required to visit this location. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.

North American Battleground of World War II (Y,M,O,T)
Teaching with Historic places lesson plans

Fly Girls (Y,M,O,T)
During WWII, women signed up to fly with the US military. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS) test-piloted aircraft, ferried planes and logged 60 million miles in the air.