| Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene |
| A WebQuest |
| INTRODUCTION As the 1940s began, Americans were recovering from the Great Depression. Many other countries around the world were also experiencing great difficulties and changes at the time. In several countries, power-hungry dictators were taking control, including Adolf Hitler in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy. Before long, war had again broken out in Europe and in Asia, where Japan had invaded China in 1931. With memories of the first World War fresh in their minds, many Americans wanted to avoid the conflicts in Europe and Asia. However, a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941 drew the U.S. into the war. The Japanese bombs destroyed ships, planes and military supplies. 2430 Americans died as a result of the attack. The United States officially entered World War II on December 8, 1941. Patriotic feelings ran high during World War II. People throughout the country worked together. Between 1941 and 1945, more than 15 million Americans served in the military. For the first time, women were allowed to join the military services. Children collected scrap metal, bottle caps and rubber bands, which were recycled into military products. People cut down on their use of gasoline, aluminum foil, meat and other items. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene is set against the backdrop of World War II during Patty Bergen's twelfth summer. She forms a new friendship -- a costly and dangerous friendship that could cost her everything -- her friends, her family, even her freedom. OBJECTIVE You are to explore the events of World War II that will shape others' feelings about Patty and her actions. Also, you are to experience and express the patriotic feelings that many American's shared during World War II. Putting everything together will give you a clearer understanding of why Patty's actions trigger such strong reactions in those around her. ASSIGNMENT -- World War II Time Capsule You are living in the United States during World War II. Your task is to create a time capsule that will be buried for over sixty years. The contents of your time capsule should reflect the important people, events and places of the second World War (1939-1945). Here are your instructions: 1) Create a time line for World War II. Include at least five important events for each year. 2) Choose a minimum of ten people, places and events. Find photos of these to place in your time capsule. 3) Glue each photo to a sheet of light-colored construction paper. Type an explanation of the importance/significance of the person, place or event pictured as related to World War II. 4) Write a one-page letter to the person who will open your time capsule in the twenty-first century. Introduce yourself and tell about your life in the United States during World War II. Use the correct format for letters. 5) Select a small box (shoe box, oatmeal box, etc.). The outside of the box should be painted a solid color or wrapped in solid paper. Place the timeline, the photos with explanations and the letter in the box. 6) Prepare a PowerPoint presentation to go along with your time capsule. For each item placed in your time capsule, you should have a corresponding slide, as well as a title slide. Remember! Everyone in the class is doing the same assignment! Make your capsule and presentation as original as possible! To continue to the links you'll need, click HERE. |
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