Bundle: Home Front During WWII - Reading Assignments, PPT, DBQs/Primary Sources

The United States Home Front during World War II:

* Primary Source Analysis and DBQ's

* Power Point Lesson

* Reading Assignment and Worksheet (Guided Reading)

Use portions or the entirety of the resources as needed.

Primary Source Analysis and DBQ's

This 23 page Primary Source Analysis and DBQ activity gives students a chance to delve deeper into the experience of life on the home front in the United States during World War II. There are 20 primary sources and 3 DBQ prompts. After completing this resource, students will be able to determine what issues were important to society during this era. In addition, there are Document-Based Question prompts.

A Lesson Plan and other supplemental information is provided at the beginning of the resource. Students can read this on their own as a homework assignment or it can be a group activity in a classroom. It is also ideally suited for home-schoolers, college students or independent learners who want to learn more. Teachers can assign just a few sources to analyze or the entire packet. Student work time will vary dependent on the aforementioned factors.

Also included is a one-page sheet that explains what primary sources are and how to analyze them using specific questions through a process called HAPPY. Primary sources in the packet include text excerpts, photographs and posters. Each page of primary sources includes questions. There is also a page at the end for students to apply the HAPPY process to one source. DBQ prompts are also provided. An Answer Key to all the questions, the HAPPY primary source analysis process, and the DBQ’s is available at the end of the packet.

A separate PowerPoint presentation on How to Integrate Sources for a DBQ is included as a Bonus File.

There is also an Easel Activity which allows students to answer the questions at the end of each primary source online. For homework purposes, Home Schoolers or for asynchronous learning, this is an especially valuable digital option .

Power Point Presentation

This 29 slide presentation about life on the home front in the United States during World War II presents a broad and deep look at the nature of the four years between the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the end of World War II. The slides use engaging visuals including photographs and posters to convey the experiences on the home front. These visuals are primary sources that the instructor can use to further student understanding beyond textbook reading. This slide presentation is equally valuable for the home-schooled student or for those instructors who want to provide supplemental information to their students. At the end of the presentation, there is a slide that provides annotations on the websites used to access the primary sources which are featured throughout the presentation. This presentation will deepen student understanding about an experience that shaped a nation.

A digital assessment in Easel is provided for teachers to measure student understanding, retention and analysis of the material.

Reading Assignment

This six-page close reading and worksheet activity provides an overview of how life in the United States during World War II. It covers the issues around mobilization, wartime productivity, racism and the opportunities and challenges of the time. Students can read this on their own as a homework assignment or it can be a group activity in a classroom. It is also ideally suited for home-schoolers or independent learners who want to learn more. A Worksheet with questions based on the reading is included, along with an Answer Key.

This is also available as a digital resource through Easel so students may complete it online.

If you or your students like World War II historical fiction, consider my novel, Hearts at War about a Nisei soldier who served in the Military Intelligence Service and a woman who served in the Women Army Corps. In writing this book, I wanted to bring an unknown aspect of history to light. Available on Amazon or Kindle. Young Adult/Adult; Interracial Romance. I appreciate any reviews! - Christa Nonnemaker