American History 2 - The 1940's and WWII

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The 1940's and World War 2 (4 weeks: weeks 26-29)

is for resources that should be available at most well-stocked libraries. The other icons are explained by the text right next to them.

The Good Fight : How World War II Was Won

This is a higly visual book explains the major events of WW2.

Advanced book

V Is for Victory: America Remembers World War II

Emily LOVED this book when she was studying WW2 and insisted I include it in this study. There are lots of colorful photographs and items presented scrapbook style.

Non-fiction

World War 2 Tales (Chester Comix) (boy)

Take a look at some samples at the Chester Comix website.

World War 2 Tales Guide

This free guide goes with the World War 2 Tales book and has various activities for your student to do!

Welcome to Molly's World,1944: Growing Up in World War Two America (girl)

If you can get this book from the library, it's worth browsing through - even if you skip a lot of the text.

Reader

The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose Books) (either girl or boy)

I've scheduled in several of the "You Choose" books this year because I think they are a great (and fun) way to get kids to retain specific events in history. Because it's interactive, I think it will encourage kids to try out at least several different versions of the story, thus cementing in facts even more. It also personalizes things a bit since the reader is a participant in the story!

This particular book has different threads for both boys and girls - so I think that will help make it have a wider appeal.

The Unbreakable Code

Learn about the Navajo code talkers and their role in World War 2 in this story of a Navajo boy.

Picture book

Pennies in a Jar

A little boy misses his dad who went off to fight in WW2.

Picture book

Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun is set in China and the main character is a British boy in a Japanese internment camp. I know it’s not American history, but it does show what else was happening during WWII. This was a favorite movie of mine as a teen.

DVD

Tora! Tora! Tora!

Our kids have watched this movie quite a few times over the years. It's a fictionalized movie based on the true events of Pearl Harbor.

DVD

Hands of a Child Lapbook – WWII

World War II Ration Stamps Booklet *coming soon*

I'm creating a reproduction of real ration stamps you can use to ration out activities or food for a day (or more) so your students can experience a little bit of history first hand!

The Japanese American Internment: An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose Books)

I've scheduled in several of the "You Choose" books this year because I think they are a great (and fun) way to get kids to retain specific events in history. Because it's interactive, I think it will encourage kids to try out at least several different versions of the story, thus cementing in facts even more. It also personalizes things a bit since the reader is a participant in the story!

Journey To Topaz: A Story Of The Japanese-American Evacuation

This story is about a family in the U.S. surviving the Japanese interment camps. This is an important piece of history every American child should learn.

You can preview this book at Google Books and actually read quite a few chapters online.

Reader

Players in Pigtails (girl)

This is the story of Katie, who got her chance to play baseball when professional male players were called off to war.

Picture book

Baseball Saved Us (boy)

A Japanese-American boy plays baseball in an interment camp during World War 2.

Picture book

Wind Flyers

Meet the Tuskegee Airmen in this story narrated by an African American boy.

Picture book

Sands of Iwo Jima

This is another WW2 movie my kids have seen numerous times. Otter loves it. It's a classic John Wayne movie. Typical girls probably won't like it much.

DVD

The Miracle of the White Stallions

This Disney movie takes place in Europe and tells the story of the famous Lipizzaner stallions being rescued during WW2.

DVD

Picture book

Picture book

Miracle at Moreaux

I haven't seen this one yet, but read that it's pretty good and appropriate for kids.

DVD

Advanced book

Non-fiction

Picture book

Harry S. Truman: Thirty-third President 1945-1953 (Getting to Know the Us Presidents)

Otter LOVES these books written and illustrated by Mike Venezia. Even my big kids read them all as older teens because the information is presented in such an engaging and easy to retain style.

All of the Venezia books I schedule in are optional for the president's study, but they are so fun, you might want to check out at least a few. Most libraries will have these books, so you probably won't need to purchase any.

President book

PBS American Experience: Truman

PREVIEW - Segments may include material inappropriate for your family. This movie will probably bore younger students.

DVD or DS

Next (1950's)

Other NON-scheduled resources you can use during this portion of the study:

I haven’t scheduled it in, but if you can get it, the World War II Collection: America at War: Boxed collection is awesome! We have this set of boxed replicas and the kids love it. I can’t tell you how many times they’ve gone through it. The box contains all sorts of goodies like dog tags, booklets, letters, POW telegram, a ration book and other replicas from WWII. At the time of this writing, Amazon has a few used copies starting at around $7. I predict though that this kit is going to be harder and harder to find. Grab it while you can, if you are interested.

For those who enjoy graphic novels, I also recommend: The Battle of Midway: The Destruction of the Japanese Fleet (Graphic Battles of World War II).

The Great Escape

The Great Escape is a family favorite! Our kids have watched this movie several times. It's based on a true story about a group of prisoners orchestrating an escape from a maximum-security prisoner-of-war camp in Germany.