(6th Grade) Social Studies Unit: WWII

Step One:

Standards:
3.H.2.1 Generate questions about individuals and groups who have shaped significant
historical changes and continuities.
K-12.H.2 Students will analyze and evaluate the impact of people, events, ideas and
symbols upon history using multiple sources.
K-12.H.4 Students will identify and evaluate the causes and effects of past, current and
potential events, issues and problems.
RI.6.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing
claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
SL.6.4 Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent
descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye
contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation
SL.6.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in
groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues,
building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually,
quantitatively, orally) and explains how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under
study.
WHST.6-8.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and
revision) and shorter time frames (in a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of
discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the
credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others
while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several
sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.

Big Idea: When nations disagree, conflicts arise.

Key Understanding:
1. Students will understand why the United States joined the war.
2. Students will understand Hitler’s role in WW2.
3. Students will understand what conflicts led to the start of the war.
4. Students will understand how WW2 ended.
5. Students will understand the effects and damage made from the war.

Essential Questions:
1. How does the want for power affect war?
2. What makes a country join a war?
3. Is war ever justified?
4. Is history the story told by the winners?
5. What are the causes and effects of the war?

Students Will Know:

1. Key facts about WWII.
2. Events that led up to the conflict of WWII.
3. Engage in collaborative discussion with peers.
4. Present claims, ideas, and findings logically on WWII reports.
5. Analyze, trace, and evaluate the causes and effects of war.

Students Will Be Able To:

1. Students will be able to conduct a research project on an aspect of WWII.
2. Students will be able to interpret information presented in various media formats.
3. Students will be able recognize, explain, and define WWII vocabulary.

Stage Two:

Pre-Assessment:
Have the students write down everything they know about WWII and discuss it as a
class. Then hand out a five question pre-test to examine student’s current
understanding of the events that led up to WWII, the causes, leaders and players, and
the effects of the war.

Performance Tasks:
Using primary and secondary sources to build an overview of understanding and
perspective of how much countries in the world interact with each other.

Students will research and report on a key figure from the conflict. The report will be two
pages and will include what role their historical figure played in the war or conflict. The
students will dress up as their historical figure. They will also talk about their perspective
of the war. The presentation should be between five to ten minutes.

Students will listen to a guest speaker who played a role in world war two. They will
bring a list of two questions that they want to ask the guest speaker.
Students who don’t want to do the presentation may create an art project that depicts
their historical figure’s life.

Post Assessment:
Test from the pre-assessment that they take again will show their understanding of what
they’ve learned. Questions and answers turned in from the guest speaker. They will
also have their report to turn in and presentation that will show their learning.

IMPORTANT TIMELINE:

https://www.ducksters.com/history/world_war_ii/ww2_timeline.php