The Effects of World War II on the Home Front

The Lesson Activities will help you develop these 21st century skills:

·  Media literacy

·  Critical thinking

Directions

You will evaluate some of these activities yourself, and your teacher may evaluate others. Please save this document before beginning the lesson and keep the document open for reference during the lesson. Type your answers directly in this document for all activities.

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Teacher-Graded Activities

Read the instructions for the following activities.

1. New Roles for Women

Select and view one of the four videos listed below from the Veterans History Project.

·  Meda Brendall, a single mother who worked as a shipyard welder

·  Ann Caracristi, a civilian recruited to work as a Japanese code breaker

·  Violet Hill Gordon, a WAC stationed in the European theater

·  Jeanne Holme, who became the first woman general in the Air Force

After viewing your video selection, write a well-crafted essay to address the following question:

How did the war experience alter the interviewee’s perspective of herself, her role in society, and her perception of American women? Use specific examples from the video to support your analysis.

Type your response here:

2. Key Content Summary

This lesson covered the changes in the economic infrastructure that were required to ensure that the allied forces were well supplied in the World War II global conflict. All Americn citizens were encouraged to support the war effort through rationing, investing dollars in war bonds, and filling the many new jobs that had opened as a result of men joining the armed forces and new civilian jobs created by wartime demands. A shortage of white males in the labor force necessitated the recruitment of women and African Americans through propaganda campaigns to fill jobs vital to the war effort. By the end of the war, the economy of the United States was robust and poised for expansion in to new global markets.

After reflecting upon the lesson, write a well-crafted essay to address the following question:

How did shifting workforce demographics contribute to the dramatic changes that occurred in the US labor force and industry during and immediately after World War II? Use the Internet to find specific facts to support your analysis and be sure to cite and reference your sources.

Type your response here:

After you have completed all the activities, submit this document to your teacher for grading.

Rubrics

These rubrics will be used by your teacher to grade your writing assignments.

Score / Criteria for New Roles for Women Essay
8–9
Distinguished / The essay clearly and concisely analyzes the video, demonstrating an accurate comprehension of the question, and includes a clear, well-developed thesis statement. Evidence from the video and knowledge of World War II events sufficiently support the thesis. The essay is written in a coherent manner with smooth transitions from one idea to the next. A score of 9 is given to an essay that provides an in-depth analysis of the video.
5–7
Proficient / The essay clearly analyzes the video, demonstrating a comprehension of the question, and includes a clear thesis statement.. While there is a logical development of ideas, there may be less evidence from the video when compared to other essays. The essay is well structured with smooth transitions between ideas. An essay scored a 7 uses key examples from the video to support the analysis.
2–4
Basic / The essay analyzes the video, but the analysis may not be arguable. Paragraphs include supporting evidence from the video. The overall development of the essay is not as coherent when compared to higher-scoring essays. There may be a number of technical errors in an essay scored a 4.
0–1
Inadequate / The essay is lacking in overall organization and coherence. The evidence is limited or may not fully support the analysis. There are a number of errors that distract the reader from the content. A score of 1 indicates minimal effort has been put into the analysis of the video.
—
Non-Performance / A score will not be recorded if the essay is not turned into the teacher.
Score / Criteria for Key Content Summary Essay
8–9
Distinguished / The essay clearly and concisely analyzes the question and includes a clear, well-developed thesis statement. Evidence from the Internet and knowledge of World War II events sufficiently support the thesis. The essay is written in a coherent manner with smooth transitions from one idea to the next. A score of 9 is given to an essay that provides an in-depth analysis of the question.
5–7
Proficient / The essay clearly analyzes the question, demonstrating a comprehension of the question, and includes a clear thesis statement. While there is a logical development of ideas, there may be less evidence from the Internet when compared to other essays. The essay is well structured with smooth transitions between ideas. An essay scored a 7 uses key examples from the Internet to support the analysis.
2–4
Basic / The essay analyzes the Internet, but the analysis may not be arguable. Paragraphs include supporting evidence from the Internet. The overall development of the essay is not as coherent when compared to higher-scoring essays. There may be a number of technical errors in an essay scored a 4.
0–1
Inadequate / The essay is lacking in overall organization and coherence. The evidence is limited or may not fully support the analysis. There are a number of errors that distract the reader from the content. A score of 1 indicates minimal effort has been put into the analysis of the question.
—
Non-Performance / A score will not be recorded if the essay is not turned into the teacher.

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