Guidelines for World War II Trading Cards

Students are typically given one or two days in school to work on this assignment. While working, they are allowed access to the computers. To facilitate the project, I typically also have our media center specialist gather together beforehand any books that might help the students.

Any work not finished in school needs to be completed by the students at home. The trading cards are due 1 ½ to 2 weeks later.

This project is adapted from an offering by The National D-Day Museum titled “Creating Trading Cards”.

While I use this assignment when studying World War II, it can also be used with other time periods. The trading cards could also be adapted to most of the geographic, political and economic concepts taught in our curriculum.

The following standard applies to this lesson plan:

SS6H7: The student will explain conflict and change in Europe to the 21st century.

B. Explain the impact of World War II in terms of the Holocaust, the origins of the Cold

War, and the rise of the Superpowers.
World War II Trading Cards Project

Trading cards are often used to highlight the accomplishments of athletes. They can also be used in other activities. Our current unit looks at the causes, events, and aftermath of World War II. We will create trading cards to help understand this era.

Project Details:

· You will have two days to work on this project in class.

· You will be given unlined index cards which are 4”x 6” for use in the project. Trading cards CANNOT be larger than 4” x 6.”

· You must complete five (5) trading cards related to World War II. The breakdown for the trading cards is as follows:

o 1 location

o 1 on the Holocaust

o 1 on technology (weapon, plane, tank, etc.)

o 1 important person

o 1 FREE CHOICE (any topic that interests you)

· You may use topics not on the original list as long as you first have Mr. Kirby’s approval.

· Each trading card must have a TYPED title and answer the four identification questions (who/what, when, where and why it is historically significant).

· You must TYPE your facts. You may use a bullet or other symbol to separate each fact, but all need to be written as a COMPLETE sentence. Again, all work must be TYPED. Nothing should be handwritten.

· The other side of your trading card must have a picture or illustration related to your topic. The picture cannot be blurry and must occupy at least approximately ½ of the surface of your trading card. The picture should be centered on the card.

· You should NEATLY glue your facts and picture on to your index card or cardstock. I recommend glue sticks, and NOT liquid glue.

· You may laminate your trading cards, but it is not required.

· Have your first and last name either on the front or back of each card.

This project was given to me on Tuesday, October 21

This project is due on Monday, November 3.

Suggested Topics for World War II Trading Cards

Adolf Hitler Enigma P-51 Mustang - W

Allied Paratroopers Erwin Rommel Panzer tank -W

Allied Powers Franklin D. Roosevelt Pas-de-Calais -L

Anne Frank French Resistance Pointe-du-Hoc

Army Air Force George S. Patton Propaganda Posters

Auschwitz Genocide Radar

Axis Powers Gliders Rationing

B-17 Flying Fortress Higgins boats Royal Air Force

Battle of the Bulge Holocaust Spitfire

Benito Mussolini Joseph Stalin Sword Beach

Bernard L. Montgomery Juno Beach Totalitarianism

Blitzkrieg Luftwaffe U-boat

British Commandos Messerschmitt Bf 109 Ultra

Browning automatic rifle Mulberries U.S. Rangers

Camouflage Navajo code breakers Utah Beach

Charles de Gaulle Normandy Victory Beach

Cryptography Omaha Beach War bonds

Dachau Operation Fortitude Wehrmacht

Dwight D. Eisenhower Operation Overlord Winston Churchill

Oskar Schindler

Name______Per_____

Rubric for World War II Trading Cards (OL)

Trading Card: ______Total: ______
_____ (possible 3 point) Contains as a neat and legible title
_____ (possible 4 points) Who/What is answered about topic

_____ (possible 4 points) When did it take place is answered about topic

_____ (possible 4 points) Where did it take place is answered about topic

_____ (possible 5 points) Why it is historically important is answered about topic