Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Analyzing American Participation in World War II Name: Jacob Arnold
Content Area: United States History Grade Level: 11th
CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):
1. Students understand the meaning, implication, and impact of historical events and recognize that events could have taken other directions.
2. Students interpret past events and issues within the context in which an event unfolded rather than solely in terms of present-day norms and values.
3. Students construct and test hypotheses; collect, evaluate, and employ information from multiple primary and secondary sources; and apply it in oral and
written presentations.

Big Ideas/Unit Goals:

1. Examine the origins of American involvement in the war, with an emphasis on the events that precipitated the attack on Pearl Harbor.
2. Identify the roles and sacrifices of individual American soldiers, as well as the unique contributions of special fighting forces (e.g., the Tuskegee Airmen, the
442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Navajo Code Talkers).
3. Explain U.S. and Allied wartime strategy, including some of the major battles such as: Midway, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Battle of the Bulge.

Unit Summary:

In this unit, students will dive into the greatest conflict the modern world has ever seen, World War II. Students will specifically be able to learn about the war
from the perspective of the United States. They will ultimately be able to see history through the different concepts of lecture, technology, and collaboration.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:
 Brainstorm: Students will brainstorm their
thoughts and ideas of the things that come
to mind when hearing the term “World
War II.
Formative:
 Quiz: Students will be quizzed on what was
occurring around the world prior to
America becoming directly involved in
World War II.
 Journal Entry: Students will write a journal
entry that includes the facts on each of the
different American Special Fighting Forces
(Tuskegee Airmen, 442nd Regimental
Combat Team, Navajo Code Talkers).
 Flash Cards: Students will make flash cards
(one side stating the specific battle and the
Summative:
 Essay: Students will be able to write a 5
paragraph essay in which they will discuss
the significance of three different battles.
(Intro, Battle 1, Battle 2, Battle 3,
Conclusion)
 Oral Group Presentation: Students will be
able to perform a 1 minute oral
presentation in front of class explaining
the long-term effects of the Special
Fighting Forces (you will each be assigned
one specific group).

Lesson 1 (Teacher Lecture)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to
recognize what America’s
involvement in World War
II was before it became
direct conflict with boots
on the ground.
Lesson 2 (Webercise)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to
recognize the profound
impact of minorities
serving the U.S. armed
forces had during WWII.
Lesson 3 (Graphic Organizer)
Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to
understand the uniqueness
of different battles during
WWII.
Unit Resources:
Crash Course-World War II
History Channel-Lend Lease Act
Simple History-D-Day
History Channel-442nd Regimental Combat Team
Associated Press-Navajo Code Talker
Smithsonian-Tuskegee Airmen
Useful Websites:
Khan Academy-WWII
WWII Interactive Map/Chart
Brain Pop-WWII Timeline Game
 Map Activity: Students will be able to label
Acceptable Evidence
(Assessments):
A completed guided notes
assignment that shows
adequate understanding of
American involvement
prior to World War II.
Acceptable Evidence:
Completed webquest
assignment that shows
understanding of the
significance Special
Fighting Forces had.
Acceptable Evidence:
A concept map that
contains information
showing understanding of
specific battles of WWII.
other describing it) and test each other on
it.
a blank map with the eight specific battles
we discussed to understand their
geographical significance.
Lesson Activities:
The lesson will be a teacher lecture which discusses American involvement prior to World War II. During
the lecture, students will follow along using a guided notes template.
Lesson Activities:
Students will be given a webquest assignment in which they navigate through different websites to find
information to answer the questions asked. This specific webquest will contain websites regarding
different American Special Fighting Forces from World War II.
Lesson Activities:
Students will use the chapter in their textbook as well as a variety of online sources to create a concept
map. The concept map will contain 5 different battle that will contain 3 specific details each. There are
more than 5 battles to choose from, so you will be able to choose the ones that you are interested in.