Wisconsin World War II Stories
PART II: EUROPE
Author: Victoria Zuleger Straughn
The second video in the Wisconsin Stories: World War II collection
brings the experiences of servicemen and women in Europe into
clearer focus. The story begins with the Allied invasion of
France in June, 1944, and follows the war in Europe to its conclusion
and “aftermath” in the spring and summer of 1945.
Viewers learn about the very human experiences of the war ---
from hunger, fear, privation, horror, and racial segregation
to friendship, luck, and leisure activities.
The videos in this series and the coordinated lesson plans can
be used in various ways. The lessons can be combined with part
or whole use of the videotapes or online video clips, or the
lessons can “stand alone.” The 5 video series and
lesson plans can constitute a complete World War II unit. Alternatively,
any one component may be added as enrichment to an existing
unit or program.
This Package Contains:
- History and Social Studies Standards
- Lesson 1 - Chronology and Geography
Students will use online historic map resources to analyze
military maps and trace the progression of the war in Europe.
- Lesson 2 - Entertainment
Students can work individually or in small groups to analyze
the impact of World War II era music and learn about the contributions
of Hollywood and other entertainers who performed on radio
during the war and who toured with the USO.
- Lesson 3 - Segregation and Civil Rights
Students draw upon photographic collections to learn about
World War II Era struggles for civil rights both in the war
zone and at home. Enrichment activities will expand upon the
contributions of people of color during World War II.
- Lesson 4 - The Costs of War
Students study national records detailing casualties resulting
from World War II by region and date. They are asked to make
generalizations and draw conclusions from this data. Enrichment
activities focus on women in the war, concentration camps
and the Holocaust, and the personal accounts of soldiers via
letters home.
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