In this two week unit, students will examine the circumstances and conditions in Europe after World War I which contributed to the outbreak of World War II. Students will discuss how the effects of the Treaty of Versailles combined with an economic depression led to the rise of Dictator Adolf Hitler. 8 th grade curriculum will be integrated as the students read the Diary of Anne Frank in their English classes while studying the Holocaust in Social Studies. Students will examine laws, propaganda, and literature of the time period in an attempt to answer the question, “Was the United States really neutral before the attacks on Pearl Harbor?” The classes will discuss the attack on Pearl Harbor, Victory in Europe, and Victory in Japan. Lastly, the students will discover the lasting effects of World War II, most significantly the beginnings of the Cold War and the creation of the United Nations. Students will acquire this new set of knowledge by participating in a variety of interactive activities such as webquests, jigsaws, and station activities.

Participants: –8 th Grade Social Studies Inclusion Class –Approximately 20 students Technological ability of the group: –Middle school students who are technologically advanced Frequent users of laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc. Access to Technology: –Laptops Microsoft Programs and Kurzweil installed Wireless internet access –Scanner/Printer Co-taught Class –1 general education social studies teacher –1 special education teacher Breakout Lessons: –Lesson 2 (The Rise of Dictators) –Lesson 7 (The United States Home Front)

In order to conceptually understand World War II, as opposed to simply memorizing a timeline of events, students must understand how Germany's physical devastation, economic depression, and the desperation of the German people led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime after World War I. The formation of an alliance amongst the totalitarians in Germany, Japan, and Italy also contributed to the outbreak of World War II. The United States assisted the Allies in their fight against the Axis Powers even before officially joining the conflict after the attacks on Pearl Harbor. World War II had many lasting effects on the United States' home front as well as on people around the world. Students will participate in discovering the aforementioned themes through a variety of constructivist activities. These activities include jigsaws, webquests, United Streaming videos with guided questions, reading comprehension passages, and the analysis of World War II propaganda.

Increased motivation Increased participation Instant access to a variety of sources Easier assessment Independent student remediation Increased creativity

Inspiration Software SmartBoard/Notebook Software Laptops with internet access Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Word Highlighters/Pens/Paper Filamentality Hotlist 8 th Grade Social Studies Textbook and Modified textbook Rise of Dictators Chart Propaganda Analysis Sheet Super Bowl car commercial on YouTube Primary Sources – WWII Propaganda BrainPOP videos

Lesson 2 – The Rise of Dictators After exploring Miss Marques’ Internet Hotlist, the students will complete a chart in which they will list the dictator, system of government, beliefs of the dictator, and tactics used by the dictator in Germany, the Soviet Union, Italy, and Japan during World War II with at least 14 out of 16 boxes of the chart accurately completed. At the end of the class period, without the use of their charts, students will complete a Smart Notebook Activity in which they will place several characteristics of three totalitarian states (Germany, Italy, and Japan) underneath the correct country heading with 90% accuracy. Lesson 7 – The United States Home Front After analyzing several pieces of World War II propaganda, students will use Microsoft Publisher to create a unique piece of WWII propaganda that is historically accurate, contains an appropriate title or slogan, properly cited, and which accurately relates to the theme of either conservation of goods, raising an army, or xenophobia.

Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Word Filamentality Hotlist Laptops with wireless internet access –YouTube/BrainPOP/United Streaming Notebook Activity Inspiration Software Kurzweil